The talks came as Pakistan prepared to receive US President Donald Trump’s enjoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner for the start of the renewed talks, although officials have not specified when they are due in Islamabad.
Iran said its officials did not plan to meet the Americans to discuss ending the war that has killed thousands and roiled global markets even though the White House said Witkoff and Kushner would engage in an “in-person conversation” with Iranian representatives.
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said Iran had a chance to make a “good deal” with the United States.
“Iran knows that they still have an open window to choose wisely,” he said. “All they have to do is abandon a nuclear weapon in meaningful and verifiable ways.”
Washington and Tehran are at a costly impasse as Iran has largely closed the Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries one fifth of global oil shipments, while the United States blocks Iran’s oil exports. The conflict, entering its ninth week, has pushed energy prices to multi-year highs, stoking inflation and darkening global growth prospects.
Trump said on Friday that Iran planned to make an offer aimed at satisfying US demands but that he did not know what the offer entailed. He declined to say who Washington was negotiating with, “but we’re dealing with the people that are in charge now”.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the United States had seen some progress from the Iranian side in recent days and hoped more would come this weekend, while Vice President JD Vance was ready to travel to Pakistan as well.
The talks come as Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari is expected to travel to Beijing on Saturday to begin a weeklong visit at the invitation of the central government.
Discussions will include economic and trade co-operation and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, Pakistan’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
China has played a role in facilitating Pakistan as a host for ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran. Zardari is expected to discuss his country’s efforts to host a second round.
The visit is part of a longstanding tradition of high-level exchanges between Pakistan and China and holds special significance as they mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, Pakistan’s foreign ministry said. (Agencies)
