Iranian FM Araghchi En Route to Islamabad as Pakistan Army Jet Heads to Muscat
Reflecto News | Breaking News | Middle East Diplomacy
ISLAMABAD — Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is airborne and en route back to the Pakistani capital, diplomatic tracking data confirms, as a Pakistan Army Gulfstream G600 also heads toward the region from Muscat, Oman — signaling that intensive mediation efforts to end the Iran-US war are entering a critical new phase.
Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 shows both aircraft in motion, with Araghchi returning to Islamabad after a brief but significant diplomatic detour to Oman . The Pakistan Army’s Gulfstream G600 — the same aircraft that previously transported the Iranian minister — is reportedly flying in from Muscat, suggesting continued high-level coordination between Tehran and Islamabad .
✈️ The Flight Movements: What the Data Shows
| Aircraft | Origin | Destination | Status | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iranian FM’s aircraft | Muscat, Oman | Islamabad, Pakistan | En route | Araghchi returning for renewed consultations |
| Pakistan Army Gulfstream G600 | Muscat, Oman | Islamabad (via regional airspace) | En route | Same jet that previously carried Araghchi; suggests continued military-level coordination |
The Gulfstream G600 carried Araghchi from Islamabad to Muscat on Saturday after the Iranian minister failed to meet with US envoys in the Pakistani capital . Its return flight to the region indicates that Oman’s consultations have concluded — at least for now — and that Islamabad remains the central hub for back-channel communications between Tehran and Washington .
🔄 Araghchi’s Shuttle Diplomacy: Islamabad → Muscat → Islamabad
Araghchi’s original three-nation tour — Islamabad, Muscat, and Moscow — was thrown into flux after President Donald Trump abruptly canceled the planned trip of US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Pakistan . The cancellation came shortly after Araghchi departed Islamabad following meetings with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir .
Araghchi’s revised itinerary:
| Stop | Date | Purpose | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Islamabad (1st visit) | April 24-25 | Initial talks with Pakistani leadership | Met PM Sharif, FM Dar, Army Chief Munir; shared Iran’s “principled positions” |
| Muscat | April 25-26 | Consultations with Omani leadership | Met Sultan Haitham; discussed mediation efforts |
| Islamabad (2nd visit) | April 26 (en route) | Renewed consultations on Iran’s “amended proposal” | Part of delegation returned to Tehran for instructions; will rejoin in Islamabad |
| Russia | Potentially postponed | Further diplomatic consultations | May be rescheduled depending on Islamabad developments |
According to reports, part of Araghchi’s delegation returned to Tehran from Muscat “to consult and obtain the necessary instructions on issues related to ending the war” . Those officials are expected to rejoin the foreign minister in Islamabad on Sunday night .
📝 The ‘Amended Proposal’: What Iran Is Bringing Back
According to diplomatic sources cited by News18, Iran has prepared an “amended proposal of framework” for a permanent end to the conflict with the US and Israel . The updated framework reportedly addresses several core sticking points:
| Issue | Iran’s Position in Amended Proposal |
|---|---|
| Strait of Hormuz | Control and navigation rights remain a central demand |
| Iranian frozen assets | Release of assets as part of any final agreement |
| Nuclear enrichment | Terms and limits on Iran’s nuclear program |
| Sanctions relief | Phased removal of economic sanctions |
Pakistan officials are reportedly “working on Iran’s amended framework for conflict resolution,” though no formal response from Washington has been issued .
🛑 Trump Cancels Envoys’ Trip — But Door Remains Open?
President Trump’s decision to cancel the US delegation’s travel to Pakistan on Saturday appeared initially to freeze diplomatic momentum . In comments to Fox News, Trump explained:
“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.’”
— President Donald Trump
However, Trump subsequently revealed that Iran had submitted a revised proposal “within ten minutes” of his cancellation — though he described the offer as still insufficient . This suggests that while direct travel by US envoys is currently paused, the channel of communication through Pakistan remains active.
“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 Trump on Truth Social
🎯 Why Oman? The Sultanate’s Mediating Role
Araghchi’s detour to Muscat before returning to Islamabad is strategically significant. Oman has historically served as a trusted intermediary between Tehran and Washington, maintaining diplomatic relations with both nations throughout periods of heightened tension .
Why Oman is central to the talks:
| Factor | Significance |
|---|---|
| Neutral ground | Trusted by both Washington and Tehran |
| Track record | Successful mediation in previous nuclear talks |
| Geographic position | Guards the Strait of Hormuz — central to current dispute |
| Discreet diplomacy | Can host back-channel communications away from public scrutiny |
Araghchi’s decision to travel to Muscat on the Pakistan Army jet — rather than an Iranian aircraft — was notable. Reports suggest the Iranian foreign minister may have chosen the Pakistani military jet “due to safety concerns, specifically the presence of US naval vessels in the Gulf of Oman” .
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Why is Iranian FM Araghchi returning to Islamabad after going to Oman?
Araghchi is returning to Islamabad to continue consultations with Pakistani leadership on Iran’s “amended proposal” for ending the war. Part of his delegation returned directly to Tehran from Muscat for consultations and will rejoin him in Islamabad .
Q2: Was Araghchi supposed to go to Russia after Oman?
Yes. Araghchi’s original three-nation tour included Islamabad, Muscat, and Moscow. However, reports indicate he may return to Islamabad first for renewed consultations, potentially postponing the Russia leg .
Q3: Did the US cancel its envoys’ trip to Pakistan?
Yes. President Trump announced on Saturday that envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would not travel to Islamabad, citing that the US “has all the cards” and that Iran could “call anytime” .
Q4: Has Iran submitted a new proposal to the US?
Yes. According to Trump, Iran submitted a revised proposal shortly after he canceled the envoys’ trip. Trump described it as “much better” than previous offers but still insufficient .
Q5: What role is the Pakistan Army playing in these negotiations?
Pakistan’s Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir has been directly involved in mediation efforts, providing his Gulfstream G600 jet to transport Araghchi to Oman and maintaining close communication with both Iranian and US officials .
Q6: Why did Araghchi travel on a Pakistan military jet rather than an Iranian aircraft?
According to reports, Araghchi used the Pakistan Army Gulfstream G600 due to safety concerns, specifically the presence of US naval vessels in the Gulf of Oman .
Q7: When did commercial flights resume at Tehran’s airport?
Iran resumed commercial flights from Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport on Saturday for the first time since the war began, with flights to Istanbul, Muscat, and Medina .
Q8: Will the second round of Islamabad talks still happen?
The status of a second round remains uncertain. While the US has paused its envoys’ travel, Pakistan continues to work on Iran’s amended framework, and diplomatic channels remain open .
Key Takeaways for Reflecto News Readers
| Aspect | Summary |
|---|---|
| Araghchi’s status | En route from Muscat to Islamabad for renewed consultations |
| Pakistan Army jet | Gulfstream G600 returning to region from Muscat |
| Amended proposal | Iran submitted revised framework covering Hormuz, assets, nuclear program |
| US envoys’ trip | Canceled by Trump, but door remains open for communication |
| Oman’s role | Critical mediator; Araghchi met Sultan Haitham before return |
| Tehran consultations | Part of delegation returned to Iran for instructions; will rejoin |
| Russia leg | Potentially postponed |
| Peace talks status | Paused but not dead; Pakistan continuing mediation |
Sources and Further Reading
Reflecto News has compiled this report from verified sources including Arab News Japan, News18, The Economic Times, Bangladesh Pratidin, Amos News, KGET.com (Associated Press), Hindustan Times, CNBC TV18, The Independent, and Yahoo News Singapore — all dated April 25-26, 2026. Flight tracking data referenced from Flightradar24.
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