Iran denies seeking talks with US, rejects ‘excessive’ demands from Washington: Report

Iran on Friday denied requesting face-to-face talks with the US in Pakistan and has refused US proposals for negotiations due to “excessive demands until now," according to Iranian media.

The denial came after White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in remarks to Fox News that Iran requested direct talks in Pakistan, prompting US President Donald Trump to dispatch envoys for potential negotiations.

Iranian semi-official Tasnim news agency, citing informed sources, described Leavitt’s statements as “entirely false” and “a misrepresentation of the situation,” stressing that “Iran has made no request for talks with the US.”

The sources added that Tehran has “completely rejected the Americans' requests for negotiations due to their excessive demands until now.”

Separately, Iran’s Fars News Agency said the visit of Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to Pakistan is part of bilateral consultations with Islamabad and is “independent” of any US-related talks.

Earlier, Araghchi arrived in Islamabad for what officials say could pave the way for a second round of talks between Iran and the US.

The White House, for its part, said that US special envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner will travel to Pakistan on Saturday to hold talks with Iranian representatives.