Pakistan's interior minister rushes to Tehran to salvage US-Iran talks amid Lebanon ceasefire crisis

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2 months · 10 summary articles
Pakistan’s interior minister, Mohsin Naqvi, arrived in Tehran on Saturday to salvage stalled US-Iran negotiations after technical-level talks scheduled for Friday in Switzerland were postponed amid renewed fighting in Lebanon. The surprise visit follows the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum, which Pakistan hailed as a historic diplomatic breakthrough, and comes as Washington and Tehran prepare for a new round of discussions in Burgenstock on Sunday.
According to Pakistani government sources, Naqvi met Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, to bridge gaps that emerged after Hezbollah launched around 50 projectiles toward Israeli positions in southern Lebanon early Saturday, prompting Israeli airstrikes that killed at least 16 people. Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, warned that the resumption of hostilities threatened the entire understanding, stating that “if part of the other side’s commitments is not implemented, the entire understanding will be jeopardized” .
The US delegation, led by Vice President J.D. Vance, is expected to arrive in Switzerland within days, accompanied by senior envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, alongside Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Pakistani mediators. Vance told Fox News on Saturday that talks “are going well” and could commence on Sunday, though he acknowledged the fragile security backdrop .
Iran’s negotiating team, designated “Minab 168,” includes Speaker of Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Foreign Minister Araghchi, and Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati. Delegation spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stressed that the trip aimed to “follow up on the implementation of the commitments of the other party,” citing past breaches of trust .
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised Pakistan’s mediation role, calling the Islamabad Memorandum a “historic diplomatic achievement” and crediting the military for preventing the ceasefire from collapsing. Falling global oil prices, he added, would bring economic relief to Pakistan .
Meanwhile, Iran’s political factions remain deeply divided over the US deal, with hardliners warning that any perceived concessions could undermine national security. Analysts describe the ceasefire in Lebanon as a “make or break” issue for the negotiations, with Araghchi reportedly telling counterparts on Friday that progress hinges on halting Israeli violations .
As diplomats gather in Switzerland, the immediate challenge is restoring calm in Lebanon to prevent further disruptions. With both sides insisting on strict adherence to prior commitments, the coming days will test whether the Islamabad Memorandum can translate into lasting de-escalation.
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