US President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and son‑in‑law Jared Kushner are traveling to Islamabad on Saturday for peace talks with Iran, the White House said.
“The Iranians want to talk,” press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters, adding that Vice President JD Vance was “on standby” to travel if the discussions showed progress, BBC reports.
Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei confirmed he and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad Friday evening, with Araghchi set to meet “Pakistani high‑level officials.”
Baqaei said, “No meeting is planned to take place between Iran and the US. Iran’s observations would be conveyed to Pakistan.”
Ahead of those remarks, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tehran had a chance to make a “good deal,” insisting “all they have to do is abandon a nuclear weapon in meaningful and verifiable ways.”
He also warned that Washington’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping route, was “growing and going global.”
The US and Israel launched attacks on Iran on 28 February, prompting Tehran to restrict shipping through the strait. The confrontation has driven oil prices sharply higher worldwide.
Leavitt said Trump’s decision to send Witkoff and Kushner was aimed at “hearing the Iranians out,” adding the president is “always willing to give diplomacy a chance.” She noted “progress from the Iranian side in the last couple of days.”
The Iranian embassy in Islamabad said Araghchi would “review bilateral matters” and discuss regional developments.
Trump and Hegseth have both insisted this week that Washington is not under pressure to end the war. Yet the continuation of US‑Iran contacts underscores the gap between the administration’s public posture, and its behind‑the‑scenes push to wind down the conflict.
JD Vance, who led the US delegation in the first round of talks earlier this month, has not been confirmed for this weekend’s negotiations. His absence could signal expectations of limited progress, though the fact the talks are continuing shows both sides remain interested in a deal.
On Wednesday, Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned the Strait of Hormuz could not be reopened given “the blatant violations of the ceasefire” by the US and Israel.
