A U.S. delegation led by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner is set to travel to Pakistan for talks, amid reports that Washington may be preparing for direct or indirect negotiations with Tehran in Islamabad. U.S. sources said that if progress is made in talks with Iran, Vice President JD Vance could also be ready to visit Pakistan. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt announced that the U.S. delegation, led by Witkoff and Kushner, will be dispatched to Pakistan on Saturday, as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is also visiting Islamabad. According to Fox News, Leavitt said all parties are prepared to travel to Pakistan if necessary, adding that Iran has contacted the United States and requested direct negotiations. Meanwhile, sources cited by Al Arabiya reported that contacts have taken place between U.S. officials and Pakistan’s army chief, raising the possibility that meetings in Islamabad could be held either directly or indirectly between Tehran and Washington. The sources added that potential talks may cover issues such as the lifting of U.S. sanctions, the status of the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran’s nuclear program. Reports by Axios and CNN indicate that Witkoff and Kushner have been coordinating in recent months toward reaching a deal with Iran, and that a visit by senior U.S. officials to Pakistan remains possible if negotiations advance.
