An Iranian delegation is set to return to Pakistan tonight, according to Iran’s state media. The delegation, led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, will visit Islamabad after completing a trip to Oman and before departing for Russia. The report indicates that part of the Iranian negotiating team had earlier returned to Tehran for consultations related to issues concerning the cessation of hostilities.

Members of the delegation are expected to arrive in Islamabad on Sunday night to rejoin Araghchi, bringing with them necessary advice and new directives from Tehran. The visit underscores Iran’s ongoing diplomatic engagements across the region amid discussions linked to ending conflict.

The information was reported by Iran’s official news agency IRNA and relayed by Tasnim News Agency, citing Pakistan’s Dawn as the source.

Pakistan has successfully launched a high-performance remote sensing imaging satellite named PRSC-EO3 from China’s Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Shanxi province. According to China’s state news agency Xinhua, the launch took place on Saturday night using a Long March-6 rocket at 8:15 p.m. local time. The satellite entered its designated orbit successfully, marking the 640th mission of China’s Long March rocket series.

Pakistan’s space agency SUPARCO stated that the satellite was developed with indigenous technology and represents a major advancement in the country’s space capabilities. The electro-optical satellite will be used for natural resource monitoring, disaster management, and environmental change analysis. It features multi-angle imaging, advanced energy storage, and AI-based data analysis systems for faster and more accurate information processing.

According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, the satellite will enhance national remote sensing capacity and support socio-economic development. President Asif Ali Zardari called the launch a historic achievement and praised China’s cooperation, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated SUPARCO scientists for strengthening national capability.

U.S. President Donald Trump has canceled a planned visit by an American delegation to Pakistan, citing the excessive travel time as the main reason. In an interview with Fox News, Trump said he stopped the team from departing, explaining that an 18-hour flight was unnecessary for what he described as idle discussions. He emphasized that the United States holds all the necessary authority and that communication with Pakistan could occur by phone instead of through lengthy travel.

The decision came shortly after an Iranian delegation led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi completed its visit to Islamabad. During that trip, the Iranian team met with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Army Chief and Field Marshal Asim Munir, and other senior officials to discuss regional security and bilateral interests. Following the meetings, Sharif described the talks as productive and sincere.

Trump’s cancellation followed the Iranian delegation’s departure, marking a shift in diplomatic scheduling between the two countries.

A high-level Iranian delegation led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi left Islamabad after a day of meetings, just before a United States delegation was reported to be en route to Pakistan. The information was confirmed by Al Jazeera’s Osama bin Javed. Before departing, the Iranian team submitted a formal list of demands to the Pakistani government outlining Tehran’s conditions for ending its ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel.

According to the report, White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt had earlier announced that the US delegation, including Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, would arrive in Pakistan on Saturday. Pakistan is currently acting as a mediator between Iran and the United States. Although Iran has refused direct talks with the US, Islamabad is serving as a communication bridge to convey Tehran’s proposals to Washington.

The US delegation is expected to review Iran’s proposals and discuss next steps toward ending the conflict. Tehran’s demands prioritize security guarantees and the lifting of sanctions. Pakistan’s diplomatic role in facilitating these exchanges has placed it at the center of current global political attention.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir in Islamabad, according to the Iranian embassy. The meeting focused on regional security and strengthening bilateral cooperation between Tehran and Islamabad. Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and National Security Adviser General Asim Malik also attended the discussions.

The Iranian delegation included Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghaei and Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amir Mokaddam. Both sides emphasized the importance of promoting peace and stability in the region and agreed to deepen security collaboration. Araghchi arrived in Islamabad on Friday night, where he was received by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Army Chief Munir.

The visit comes amid a deadlock in talks between the United States and Iran. Observers view the trip as a potentially significant step toward a second round of discussions between Tehran and Washington.

US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are traveling to Pakistan for discussions involving Iran, according to the report. Vice President JD Vance has indicated he is prepared to join them in Islamabad if there is a prospect of reaching an agreement with Tehran. An Iranian delegation has already arrived in Pakistan but has stated it will not meet with the US side.

Al Jazeera’s Washington correspondent Allen Fisher reported that there are indications in Washington suggesting JD Vance has been temporarily sidelined to allow talks in Islamabad to proceed. However, Fisher noted that the situation may not be as it appears. He added that if significant progress is made toward a potential deal, both JD Vance and Senator Marco Rubio would be called to Islamabad to finalize it.

The discussions are expected to address key issues including Iran’s nuclear ambitions, its regional proxies, enriched uranium stockpiles, and unresolved matters concerning the Strait of Hormuz.

An Iranian delegation led by Foreign Minister Araghchi has arrived in Islamabad, Pakistan, according to Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi. The visit coincides with the White House announcement that US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will also travel to Pakistan for discussions involving Iran. However, Iran has stated that it will not hold any meetings with the United States.

Andrabi said on social media that Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defense Chief and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, and other senior officials welcomed Araghchi. During the visit, the Iranian foreign minister is expected to discuss recent regional developments and ongoing efforts for peace and stability with Pakistan’s top leadership.

The trip is being viewed as a significant step toward potential second-round talks between Iran and the United States, though Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei reiterated that no meeting with US officials is planned. The White House noted that if discussions progress, US Vice President JD Vance is prepared to visit Pakistan.

United States President Donald Trump has dispatched envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Pakistan as Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad, raising hopes of renewed dialogue to end the US-Israeli war on Iran. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the envoys were expected to meet Araghchi, though it remained uncertain whether Tehran had agreed to talks. Trump expressed optimism about a potential deal, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Iran still had an opportunity to make a “good deal.”

According to Pakistani sources cited by Reuters, Araghchi’s visit would be brief and focused on Iran’s proposals for talks that Pakistan might relay to Washington. However, Al Jazeera reported that a senior Iranian official ruled out direct US-Iran talks in Pakistan. Iranian state media made no mention of parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf, who led previous negotiations that ended without progress. The Iranian parliament denied reports of his resignation and confirmed no new talks were scheduled.

Trump recently extended a two-week ceasefire to allow more time for negotiations while maintaining a blockade on Iranian ports. The US also froze $344 million in Iranian cryptocurrency assets to increase financial pressure on Tehran.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner will travel to Pakistan on Saturday to join a second round of discussions aimed at ending the conflict with Iran. White House Press Secretary Carolyn Levitt confirmed the plan in an interview with Fox News on Friday, saying Iran had agreed to participate in the direct talks at Trump’s invitation and that Washington hopes the dialogue will lead to a productive outcome and a possible agreement.

The first round of direct talks between the United States and Iran took place in Islamabad on April 11 and 12, lasting about 21 hours but ending without a settlement. That meeting was led by U.S. delegate J.D. Vance, who will not attend this time but remains ready to join if needed. Levitt added that all relevant parties are prepared to travel to Pakistan quickly if required.

According to the report, Pakistan brokered a temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran on April 8, which was later extended indefinitely after April 22.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad on Friday night, according to Turkey-based Anadolu Agency. He was received by Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Army Chief Asim Munir. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said Araghchi will meet the country’s top leadership to discuss regional stability, peace, and cooperation. The visit is being viewed as a significant step toward a possible second round of talks between Iran and the United States.

The trip comes as Pakistan intensifies diplomatic efforts to restart dialogue between Tehran and Washington. The White House confirmed that U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkov and adviser Jared Kushner will travel to Pakistan on Saturday to meet Iranian representatives. White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt said Islamabad is playing a key mediating role in facilitating these direct discussions, while Vice President JD Vance remains closely involved from Washington.

A first round of direct Iran-U.S. talks was held in Islamabad on April 11–12 but ended without progress. Pakistan is now actively working to reopen the negotiation channel between the two sides.

An Iranian delegation led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to arrive in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Friday night, according to several Pakistani government sources cited by Al Jazeera. The visit comes amid what sources describe as a strong possibility of major progress in discussions between the United States and Iran. Earlier in the day, Araghchi and Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a phone conversation, confirmed by both sides.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said the two ministers discussed regional developments, ceasefire efforts, and ongoing diplomatic initiatives related to U.S.-Iran engagement. Dar emphasized the importance of continuous dialogue, while Araghchi praised Pakistan’s consistent and constructive mediating role. Iran’s state news agency IRNA also reported that Araghchi spoke separately with Pakistan’s army chief, though Islamabad has not confirmed this call.

Pakistan has been preparing for a potential second round of U.S.-Iran talks after the first 21-hour session in February ended without agreement. Security has been tightened in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, and two hotels have been reserved for delegations, though Iran has not yet agreed to resume talks.

Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced that 22 militants allegedly backed by India were killed in a joint operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The operation was conducted on April 21 after security and law enforcement agencies received information about the presence of militants in the area. According to the ISPR, the militants belonged to the group Fitna-al-Khariji.

The ISPR statement said the militants opened indiscriminate fire out of fear of being captured alive, resulting in the death of a 10-year-old child. Security forces recovered weapons and ammunition from the site. The ISPR added that the group had been actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the region.

The announcement was made public on April 24, with the ISPR emphasizing that the operation aimed to eliminate threats posed by the India-supported group in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

At least ten people were killed in an armed attack on a copper and gold mining project in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province. Officials said on Thursday that around forty gunmen on motorcycles and other vehicles attacked the National Resources Private Limited (NRL) project in the Darigwan area of Chagai district on Wednesday. According to a local administrative officer, the dead included seven workers and three security personnel.

The officer added that there were reports of some workers being taken hostage, though this information could not be confirmed. Another local police official, speaking anonymously, confirmed details of the attack. In a statement issued Wednesday night, NRL acknowledged the incident and said security forces responded quickly and secured the area.

No group has claimed responsibility for the assault. However, in recent years, local ethnic separatist groups have increased attacks in the region, often targeting mining projects.

Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met with US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker in Islamabad on Thursday to discuss diplomatic efforts related to the second round of US-Iran ceasefire talks. Following the meeting, Naqvi expressed hope for positive progress from Iran, noting that the talks had been delayed because Tehran had not yet confirmed its delegation.

In an official statement, Naqvi said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir were making all-out efforts to help achieve a peaceful resolution and urged all parties to choose diplomacy. The statement added that Baker praised Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting peace.

Naqvi also commended US President Donald Trump for extending the ceasefire with Iran indefinitely just hours before it was due to expire, calling it a welcome step toward reducing tensions.

Around 3,000 containers destined for Iran have been stranded at Pakistan’s Karachi port due to heightened tensions and a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. Documents recently surfaced requesting assistance to release the containers, which were originally meant to reach Iran through trans-shipment but were unloaded in Karachi instead. Discussions are underway with Pakistani authorities to use a land route to move the containers to the border, from where Iranian trucks would transport them into Iran.

Maritime experts and shipping industry sources noted that Iran has been collecting tolls from China in yuan and cryptocurrency, charging about one dollar per barrel of oil and setting cargo fees based on oil prices. This system has generated significant revenue for Iran. However, the United States has reportedly found ways to disrupt this supply chain, with several vessels already detained under the naval blockade.

Experts believe the blockade functions more as a pressure tactic against Iran than as a direct act of war.