Iran’s Foreign Minister Araghchi to Begin Regional Tour in Islamabad, Muscat, Moscow
Published on Reflecto News | World News | Diplomacy & Geopolitics
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will begin a three-nation regional tour on Friday evening, visiting the capitals of Pakistan, Oman, and Russia, according to Iran’s state-run IRIB news agency. The carefully sequenced trip is designed to consult with three key partners that have played distinct roles in mediating the conflict between Tehran and Washington .
Araghchi’s first stop is Islamabad, where he is expected to arrive later Friday. Pakistan has served as the primary mediator between Iran and the United States, hosting the first round of direct talks earlier this month and working to facilitate a second round . Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have been deeply involved in the mediation effort.
From Islamabad, Araghchi will travel to Muscat, the capital of Oman. Oman has longstanding ties to both Tehran and Washington and has historically served as a discreet backchannel for US-Iran communications, including during the negotiations that led to the 2015 nuclear deal.
The final stop will be Moscow, where Araghchi will meet with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov. Russia has offered to serve as a custodian for Iran’s enriched uranium and has consistently supported Tehran’s position that the ceasefire must include Lebanon.
A Message of Strategic Patience
The tour is likely intended to coordinate positions among Iran’s partners, share assessments of the current state of play, and reinforce Tehran’s core demands: the lifting of the US naval blockade, the release of frozen assets, and a ceasefire that includes Lebanon.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said ahead of the trip that Iran remains “ready for a fair and balanced deal” but will not accept “deadlines or ultimatums.”
US Assets in Place
The United States has maintained a logistics and security team in Islamabad throughout the week, and at least nine US aircraft have arrived carrying communications equipment and personnel in anticipation of a possible second round of talks. While Araghchi’s current itinerary does not include direct meetings with US officials, the presence of US assets in Islamabad suggests that Washington remains prepared to engage if conditions allow.