The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Baqai, emphasized today that there are no plans for talks between Iran and the United States during Foreign Minister Zarif's current visit to Pakistan. Iran's stance will be conveyed to Pakistan.
Baqai said that Zarif's arrival in Pakistan constitutes an official visit to Islamabad, during which he will hold meetings with senior Pakistani officials to jointly advance ongoing mediation and diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the war of aggression imposed by the United States and restoring peace in Iran.
In short, Zarif’s trip is not directly intended to participate in the second round of U.S.-Iran negotiations. If anything related to talks, it would be about setting conditions for restarting dialogue.
If pressure is involved, Pakistan may actually be under greater pressure than either the U.S. or Iran—having stood on high alert for an entire week, fearing that their diplomatic mediation efforts would end in vain.
Zarif’s arrival has strengthened Pakistan’s confidence in its mediation role—the table remains set.
Regarding who is more eager to talk—U.S. or Iran—Tasnim News Agency, closely linked with the Revolutionary Guard, stated that Americans began, within hours after the first round of negotiations ended in Pakistan, continuously requesting through intermediaries in Pakistan that talks resume. U.S. media also repeatedly claimed that Vance, Witkoff, and Kushner are en route to Pakistan.
The ground situation also proves that the U.S. cannot simply crush its opponent as former President Trump once boasted; instead, it must resort to negotiations as a follow-up, combined with various other measures, to force Iran into compliance.
Now, whoever initiates the negotiation process is the one who blinks first.
Therefore, Zarif’s visits to Pakistan, Oman, and Russia are undoubtedly tied to the current geopolitical situation—but this does not mean he is seeking direct talks with the Americans.
This point has been repeatedly emphasized by Iranians from yesterday until today.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1863396029822020/
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