'Never refused to go to Islamabad’, FM Araghchi says US media misrepresenting Iran's position on peace talks 

Tehran/ Islamabad (Web Desk): Iran on Saturday thanked Pakistan for its efforts to promote peace in the Middle East, while rejecting claims that it had refused to hold discussions with the United States in Islamabad.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi addressed a report by a US media outlet suggesting that Tehran had turned down talks with American officials, calling the report a misrepresentation of Iran’s stance.

On Friday, The Wall Street Journal claimed that Iran had told mediators it would not meet US officials in Islamabad in the coming days, describing the US demands as unacceptable.

In a post on X, Araghchi expressed gratitude to Pakistan for trying to end the war, stating that Iran "never refused to go to Islamabad." He added, "What we care about are the terms of a conclusive and lasting END to the illegal war that is imposed on us."

Iran's position is being misrepresented by U.S. media.

We are deeply grateful to Pakistan for its efforts and have never refused to go to Islamabad. What we care about are the terms of a conclusive and lasting END to the illegal war that is imposed on us.

پاکستان زنده باد pic.twitter.com/AUjBQxOFyA

— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) April 4, 2026

Pakistan has emerged as a crucial mediator in one of the region’s most severe conflicts, which escalated after joint US-Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28.

The ongoing conflict has caused a steep rise in global fuel and energy prices, partly due to Tehran’s effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

In addition to conveying messages between Washington and Tehran, Pakistan hosted key regional ministers from Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Egypt on March 31, coordinating efforts to bring an end to the war.

Following the quadrilateral gathering in Islamabad, Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar held a high-level bilateral meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing.

The discussions proposed a five-point plan for peace, calling for an immediate ceasefire, swift commencement of talks, protection of civilian and non-military infrastructure, safeguarding shipping routes, and upholding the principles of the United Nations Charter.

On April 2, Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) announced that the country is intensifying its diplomatic engagement with the US to support de-escalation and create a pathway for meaningful negotiations.

“Pakistan is actively working to create a conducive environment for de-escalation and dialogue,” said FO Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi in Islamabad, noting that the next stage will focus on substantive talks among all relevant parties.