Iran says it won't accept 'maximalist demands' as Islamabad hosts peace push

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqhchi laid out Iran's demands and its reservations about US positions on Saturday as Islamabad hosted a new push to end a war that has ‌killed thousands and roiled global markets.

Though details of the talks were scant, Araqchi met Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and other high-ranking officials. The White House had earlier announced that ​President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve ⁠Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner would travel to the Pakistani capital on Saturday, but Iran has so far ruled out a new round ‌of direct talks.
Washington and Tehran are at an impasse ‌as Iran has largely closed the Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries one-fifth of global oil shipments, while the U.S. blocks Iran's oil exports.

IRAN SETS OUT ITS 'PRINCIPLED POSITIONS'

Araqhchi "explained our country's principled positions regarding the latest developments related to the ceasefire and the complete end of the imposed war against Iran", said ⁠a statement on the minister's official Telegram account.

Asked about Tehran's reservations about US positions in the talks, an Iranian diplomatic source in Islamabad told Reuters: "Principally, Iranian side will not accept maximalist demands."

Abbas Araghchi (5th from L) meets with PM Shahbaz Sharif (C) in Islamabad. AP

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth had earlier told reporters that Iran had a chance to make a "good deal."

"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."

Araqhchi arrived in Islamabad on Friday. But an Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson posted on X that Iranian officials did not plan to meet US representatives and that Tehran's concerns would be conveyed to mediator Pakistan.

Trump told Reuters 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 US 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.

CEASEFIRES IN PLACE, FEW SHIPS CROSSING HORMUZ

Days after Trump extended the ceasefire, international flights resumed from Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport on Saturday, Iranian media said. The first passengers had departed ⁠for Medina, in Saudi Arabia, Muscat and Istanbul, with operations expected to accelerate in the coming days.

"Well, it's a good feeling. When flights resume, trade is done, and people can do their jobs. It’s a good feeling," said one passenger at the airport, where passengers were queuing at check-in desks.

Iranian airspace has been largely closed since the start of the war. Tens of thousands of flights have been cancelled, rerouted and ​rescheduled worldwide, shutting much ‌of the Middle East's airspace because of missile and drone threats.

Reuters