Iran rejects US media claims of breakdown of talks facilitated by Pakistan but seeks ‘conclusive’ end to war

KARACHI, Pakistan

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday rejected US media claims of a breakdown of talks facilitated by Pakistan to end a raging Middle East conflict.

"Iran's position is being misrepresented by US media,” Araghchi said in a statement on US social media company X.

His statement came a day after US daily The Wall Street Journal claimed that Iran is "unwilling to meet US officials in Islamabad in the coming days and considers US demands unacceptable."

Aragchi, instead, expressed thanks to Islamabad.

“We are deeply grateful to Pakistan for its efforts and have never refused to go to Islamabad. What we care about are the terms of a conclusive and lasting END to the illegal war that is imposed on us," said the Iranian foreign minister.

“Long live Pakistan," Araghchi wrote at the end of his statement in Urdu, Pakistan's national language.

Islamabad swiftly reacted to Araghchi's statement, thanking him for the clarification.

"Truly appreciate your clarification, my dear brother Aragchi," Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said in a post on X.

Pakistan has positioned itself to mediate between the US and Iran by leveraging its good ties with Tehran and Washington and its strategic and defense partnerships with China and Saudi Arabia.