US President Donald Trump is dispatching senior envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Islamabad for talks with Iran, even as Vice President JD Vance stays back in Washington, AP reported.
Confirming the development, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the two envoys will engage with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts.
“We're hopeful that it will be a productive conversation and hopefully move the ball forward to a deal,” Leavitt said in an interview with Fox News Channel.
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She clarified that Vance would not travel but remains deeply involved in the process. According to Leavitt, he will stay in the US alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the president's national security team, on standby to travel to Pakistan if necessary.
Leavitt added that Trump's decision to send Witkoff and Kushner was aimed at direct engagement.
“To hear the Iranians out,” she said, noting that Washington has seen “some progress from the Iranian side in the last couple of days,” without elaborating further.
Meanwhile, Araghchi confirmed he is embarking on a regional tour that includes Islamabad, Muscat and Moscow, signalling renewed diplomatic momentum.
“Embarking on timely tour of Islamabad, Muscat, and Moscow,” Araghchi wrote on X. “Purpose of my visits is to closely coordinate with our partners on bilateral matters and consult on regional developments. Our neighbours are our priority,” he added.
ALSO READ: Fresh Hope For US-Iran Peace Talks? Iran's Abbas Araghchi Speaks To Asim Munir, Ishaq Dar
Earlier, a senior official from the government of Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told PTI that Araghchi is expected to arrive in Islamabad with a small delegation, with the possibility of a second round of US-Iran talks being hosted in the Pakistani capital.
The official added that a US logistics and security team is already on the ground, underlining the seriousness of the engagement as Islamabad positions itself at the centre of a potential diplomatic breakthrough.
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