IRIA News

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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Muscat on April 25, 2026, as part of a three-country tour to discuss the latest regional developments and mediation efforts to end the Iran war after weeks of conflict between the U.S. and Iran.

Araghchi is leading an Iranian diplomatic delegation to meet with senior Omani officials to discuss bilateral relations and broader regional developments.

Islamabad was the first destination of a three-leg tour including Oman and Russia. The visit follows high-level talks in Islamabad on April 11 and 12, where Pakistan acted as an intermediary between Iran and the United States to help end the war in the Middle East.

Before arriving in Oman, Araghchi held meetings in Islamabad with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Army Chief Asim Munir and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, during which he discussed regional stability, bilateral ties, and potential pathways to end the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.

In a post on X, Sharif expressed appreciation for Iran’s decision to send a high-level delegation led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to Islamabad for talks aimed at ending the war.

Prime Minister reassured Tehran of Pakistan’s firm commitment to regional peace, saying that Pakistan would continue its sincere and honest endeavours to promote regional peace and security.

Araghchi says talks in Pakistan were “very fruitful”

In a statement shared on social media, Araghchi described the talks in Pakistan as “very fruitful” and expressed appreciation for Islamabad’s mediation efforts. He said Iran had presented its “position concerning a workable framework to end the war permanently,” but did not provide details.

Very fruitful visit to Pakistan, whose good offices and brotherly efforts to bring back peace to our region we very much value.

Shared Iran's position concerning workable framework to permanently end the war on Iran. Have yet to see if the U.S. is truly serious about diplomacy.

— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) April 25, 2026

Pakistan has played a central diplomatic role in recent weeks, facilitating indirect communication between Tehran and Washington. A two-week ceasefire brokered on April 8 was later extended, but follow-up talks in Islamabad failed to produce a lasting agreement.

Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency reported that Araghchi was “scheduled to visit Pakistan again after completing his trip to Oman and before travelling to Russia”.

Araghchi visits Oman

Iran’s Foreign Minister ⁠Araghchi headed to Oman after meeting with Pakistani mediators. He met the Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq Al Said in the capital Muscat to discuss the regional situation and mediation efforts aimed at ending the U.S.-Israel war on Iran.

During their meeting, the two discussed “developments in the regional situation, mediation efforts, and endeavours aimed at ending conflicts,” according to Oman News Agency.

Araghchi listened to the sultan’s ideas on how to reach “sustainable political solutions and limit the repercussions of crises on the peoples of the region,” as the Omani leader stressed, “the importance of prioritising the language of dialogue and diplomacy in addressing issues, contributing to the consolidation of the foundations of peace”.

Araghchi expressed Iran’s appreciation for Oman’s role in supporting dialogue and promoting regional security and stability, particularly amid current tensions.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran continued to place “great importance” in relations with Gulf states and that it remained “committed to strengthening mutual trust”.

Uncertainty Over US-Iran Peace Talks

Despite continued diplomatic activity, uncertainty remains over the prospects for renewed negotiations. Araghchi publicly questioned Washington’s intentions, stating: “Have yet to see if the U.S. is truly serious about diplomacy.”

Iran has refused to engage in direct talks with the United States, instead relying on Pakistan to relay its positions. Key points of contention reportedly include the U.S. naval presence in the Strait of Hormuz, the blockade of Iranian ports, and disagreements over Iran’s enriched uranium program.

The next round of talks had been expected to take place in Pakistan, but Tehran declined participation, citing what it described as excessive U.S. demands and the continuation of restrictive measures.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran will not enter into “forced negotiations” with the United States while facing pressure and threats, according to Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB. In a phone call with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Pezeshkian said ongoing U.S. actions were undermining trust and complicating any path to dialogue, adding that progress would remain difficult unless “hostile actions and operational pressures” from Washington are halted.

Trump Cancels Delegation Visit to Islamabad

Adding to the uncertainty, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the cancellation of a planned visit of special envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner to Islamabad.

“I’ve told my people a little while ago they were getting ready to leave, and I said, ‘Nope, you’re not making an 18-hour flight to go there. We have all the cards. They can call us anytime they want, but you’re not going to be making any more 18-hour flights to sit around talking about nothing,” Trump said in his remarks.

“Nobody knows who is in charge, including them. Also, we have all the cards, they have none! If they want to talk, all they have to do is call!!!” – President Donald J. Trump 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/jpxXgQ0K06

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 25, 2026

The decision follows earlier delays in the U.S. delegation’s travel, reportedly due to internal policy discussions in Washington. The cancellation signals a pause in direct U.S. engagement through Pakistani mediation channels.

Araghchi to visit Moscow after Muscat

Araghchi is also expected to visit Russia as part of his ongoing regional tour, underscoring Tehran’s effort to coordinate with key partners amid the conflict.

The planned visit highlights Iran’s long-standing strategic relationship with Moscow, which has remained a critical diplomatic one throughout the crisis.

Russia has repeatedly offered to take custody of Iran’s enriched uranium, proposing to store or reprocess it on Russian territory. The proposal could potentially address one of Washington’s central concerns in negotiations.

However, U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly rejected an offer by Russian President Vladimir Putin, a move widely seen as an effort to limit Moscow’s influence over the outcome of the crisis and prevent it from gaining additional leverage in the nuclear domain.

The current crisis began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iranian targets, including Tehran. The attacks resulted in the death of senior Iranian leadership figures, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and triggered a large-scale response from Iran involving missile and drone strikes on U.S. and Israeli positions across the region.

A ceasefire agreement was reached on April 8, temporarily halting hostilities. However, subsequent negotiations have failed to translate the ceasefire into a broader political settlement.

Regional tensions remain elevated, with intermittent military activity reported, including Israeli strikes on targets in Lebanon linked to Hezbollah. Both sides have accused each other of violating ceasefire terms, underscoring the fragility of the current situation.

Araghchi’s visit to Oman, followed by a planned stop in Russia, reflects continued diplomatic engagement despite limited progress. With mediation efforts ongoing, competing proposals on the table, and political signals from Washington and Tehran remaining mixed, the prospects for a comprehensive agreement remain uncertain.

The coming days are likely to determine whether indirect diplomacy can regain momentum or whether the current pause gives way to renewed escalation.