Iran will conduct dialogue with Israel through mediation by Pakistan, according to Retired Major General Tariq Rasheed [1].
This diplomatic shift suggests Iran is seeking a neutral intermediary to lower tensions with Israel while maintaining a strict refusal to engage directly with the United States. By utilizing Islamabad, Tehran attempts to navigate a path toward stability without granting political legitimacy to Washington.
Iranian officials have denied that any direct engagement with the U.S. is on the agenda. Esmael Baqaei, a spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, said, "No meeting is planned to take place between Iran and the U.S." [2]. This statement coincided with the visit of Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi to Pakistan on April 24-25, 2026 [3].
While Tehran denied a scheduled meeting, the U.S. government previously indicated that direct talks were possible. However, U.S. President Donald Trump (R-FL) intervened in the process. On April 25, 2026, Trump said he had told his people to cancel the travel of envoys to Pakistan [4].
Despite the cancellation of U.S. envoys, the framework for indirect communication remains. Retired Major General Tariq Rasheed said that the Iran–Israel dialogue will be mediated through Pakistan [1]. This arrangement allows Iran to pursue a diplomatic resolution to the regional conflict while avoiding the political risk of direct American involvement.
The discussions in Islamabad between the Iranian and Pakistani foreign ministries highlight Pakistan's growing role as a regional bridge. This mediation strategy aims to prevent a direct military escalation by establishing a communication channel that does not require the presence of Western diplomats.
“"No meeting is planned to take place between Iran and the U.S."”
The reliance on Pakistan as a mediator indicates a strategic calculation by Iran to isolate the U.S. from the peace process while still acknowledging the need for a diplomatic off-ramp with Israel. By shifting the venue to Islamabad, Iran leverages a neutral third party to manage security risks, though the cancellation of U.S. envoys suggests that the broader geopolitical tension between Washington and Tehran continues to hinder a comprehensive regional settlement.
