Reuters: Pakistan mediators say US–Iran contacts continue

Efforts to bridge differences between the United States and Iran are continuing through indirect channels, sources involved in mediation in Pakistan told Reuters, even after the breakdown of planned face-to-face diplomacy.

Hopes of reviving negotiations weakened after U.S. President Donald Trump cancelled a planned trip by envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Islamabad. The visit had been expected to coincide with discussions involving Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who travelled to the Pakistani capital twice over the weekend for shuttle diplomacy.

Araghchi, who also visited Oman, arrived in Russia on April 27 for talks with President Vladimir Putin, a long-standing ally of Tehran.

As diplomatic uncertainty persists, oil markets reacted to the stalled negotiations. Brent crude rose by around 2.5% to approximately $108 a barrel when trading resumed on Monday, reflecting continued concerns over supply disruptions.

“If they want to talk, they can come to us, or they can call us. You know, there is a telephone. We have nice, secure lines,” Trump told “The Sunday Briefing” on Fox News.

“They know what has to be in the agreement. It's very simple: They cannot have a nuclear weapon; otherwise, there's no reason to meet,” Trump said.

In Pakistan, where preparations had been underway for possible negotiations, streets in Islamabad have since reopened after a week-long lockdown. A luxury hotel that had been reserved for the talks has resumed accepting public bookings.

Pakistani officials said discussions are continuing remotely, but no in-person meeting is planned until the sides are close to final agreement.

“The draft will be negotiated remotely till they reach some consensus,” said a Pakistani source familiar with the process.

Despite a ceasefire halting U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran that began on February 28, no broader settlement has been reached. The conflict has killed thousands, disrupted global energy markets, driven up inflation, and weighed on economic growth prospects.

By Sabina Mammadli