Iran’s foreign minister arrives in Pakistan as Islamabad strives to secure U.S. ceasefire talks while Tehran negotiates Hormuz toll access with Oman

(SeaPRwire) –   Iran’s foreign minister made a return visit to Islamabad on Sunday as Pakistan’s military and political leadership worked to revive ceasefire negotiations between Tehran and Washington.

After departing the Pakistani capital late Saturday, which sparked uncertainty regarding a potential second round of discussions, Abbas Araghchi returned to Islamabad before heading to Moscow, according to Iranian state media. He had previously visited Oman, a nation that has served as a mediator and sits across from the vital Strait of Hormuz.

Two Pakistani officials, speaking anonymously regarding the ongoing efforts, did not specify when U.S. representatives might return to the region to continue the high-level, in-person talks held earlier this month.

The White House announced Friday that it would send envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff to Islamabad for further discussions. However, shortly after news of Araghchi’s departure surfaced, President Donald Trump stated he had scrapped the mission due to a lack of progress with Iran, adding, “They can call us anytime they want.”

Last week, Trump extended the ceasefire that the U.S. and Iran reached on April 7, which has largely paused the hostilities that began with joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on February 28. Nevertheless, a lasting resolution remains elusive in a conflict that has claimed thousands of lives and disrupted the global economy.

Strait of Hormuz at center of Iran’s discussions in Oman

A standoff persists at the Strait of Hormuz, a critical international shipping lane, as Iran restricts transit while the U.S. maintains a blockade of Iranian ports.

According to a regional official familiar with the matter who requested anonymity, Iran is seeking Omani support for a system to levy tolls on vessels traversing the strait, a waterway that handles one-fifth of global oil shipments during normal operations.

The official, who is involved in the mediation process, noted that Iran is demanding the removal of the U.S. blockade as a prerequisite for new talks, while Pakistani mediators work to narrow the significant divide between the two nations.

He added that Araghchi’s discussions in Oman centered on issues related to the Strait of Hormuz.

Oman’s stance remains unclear. On Sunday, Araghchi also held telephone conversations with his counterparts in Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Even prior to Saturday’s events, Iran’s foreign ministry indicated that any negotiations would be conducted indirectly via Pakistani intermediaries, reflecting Tehran’s caution following previous rounds of talks that were followed by U.S. and Israeli strikes.

Trump said Iran has offered ‘much better’ proposal

The economic impact continues to mount two months into the conflict, as the near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupts global shipments of liquefied natural gas, oil, fertilizer, and other essential supplies.

Both sides have persisted with military posturing. On Saturday, Iran’s joint military command warned of a “strong response” if the U.S. continues “aggressive military actions, including naval blockades, banditry, and piracy.” Last week, Trump directed the military to “shoot and kill” small vessels suspected of laying mines.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday before a security incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Trump mentioned that Iran submitted a “much better” proposal within 10 minutes of his decision to cancel the trip for Witkoff and Kushner.

While he did not provide details, he emphasized that a key condition is that Iran “will not have a nuclear weapon.” The status of Iran’s uranium enrichment has long been a primary source of friction. According to the U.N. nuclear watchdog, Tehran currently holds 440 kilograms (972 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60% purity, which is just a short technical step away from weapons-grade material.

Syed Mohammad Ali, an independent political analyst based in Pakistan, suggested that the delay should not be viewed as a failure, noting that indirect talks are moving forward. He emphasized that resolving tensions between Tehran and Washington will take time and patience.

“But the good thing is that the ceasefire is holding, and both sides have a desire to end the conflict in a way that does not backfire at home,” Ali said.

A growing toll even as fragile ceasefires hold

Since the outbreak of the war, at least 3,375 people have died in Iran, and at least 2,496 have been killed in Lebanon, where fighting between Israel and Hezbollah resumed two days after the conflict with Iran began.

Additionally, 23 people have been killed in Israel and over a dozen in Gulf Arab nations. Casualties include 15 Israeli soldiers in Lebanon, 13 U.S. service members in the region, and six U.N. peacekeepers in southern Lebanon.

A separate ceasefire between Israel and the Iranian-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah has been extended by three weeks. Hezbollah has not been involved in the diplomacy brokered by Washington.