US Delegation Heads to Pakistan; Iran States It Will Not Accept Extreme Demands
As a US delegation visits Pakistan, Iran has stated it has no plans for a meeting with the US and will convey its stance through Pakistan, emphasizing that it will not accept extreme demands. The conflict, now in its ninth week, has led to soaring energy prices and inflation.
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- 📰 Published: April 25, 2026 at 23:46
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Central News Agency (Islamabad, 25th, comprehensive foreign dispatch) As Pakistan strives to end a war that has claimed thousands of lives and caused global market turmoil, Iran has stated that it has no plans to meet with the US side, and its position will be conveyed by Pakistan, adding that it will not accept extreme demands. According to Reuters, the White House announced earlier that President Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, would travel to Islamabad, Pakistan, today. However, Iran has so far ruled out the possibility of a new round of direct talks. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi met with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other senior officials. Little is known about the new round of Iran-US talks. The conflict has now entered its ninth week, with the war causing energy prices to surge to multi-year highs, exacerbating inflation and impacting the global economic outlook. Trump extended the ceasefire this week. Araqchi stated in a statement posted on his official Telegram account that he explained to Pakistan "our country's principled position regarding the latest progress in the ceasefire and a complete end to this imposed war on Iran." When asked about Tehran's reservations regarding the US position in the talks, an Iranian diplomatic source in Islamabad told Reuters: "In principle, the Iranian side will not accept extreme demands." US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth told the media earlier that Iran still has a chance "to reach a favorable agreement." He said, "Iran still has the opportunity to make wise choices, as long as they abandon nuclear weapons in a meaningful and verifiable manner." Araqchi arrived in Islamabad yesterday. However, a spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry posted on social media X that Iranian officials have no plans to meet with US representatives, and Tehran's position will be conveyed by Pakistan, the mediator. Trump told Reuters yesterday that Iran plans to propose a plan aimed at meeting US demands, but he was not clear on the details at present. He refused to say who the US would negotiate with, emphasizing, "We are dealing with the people in power." White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the US has seen some progress from Iran in recent days, hopes for more results over the weekend, and stated that Vice President J.D. Vance is on standby to travel to Pakistan. (Compiled by Ho Hung-ju) 1150425. Choose to stand with facts; every sponsorship you provide is a force for protecting press freedom. Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated. The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and utilized without authorization.