Iran has outlined its key demands and red lines ahead of fresh diplomatic efforts involving the United States, signalling openness to mediated talks while rejecting what it described as “maximalist demands.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi conveyed Tehran’s position to Pakistani officials during discussions in Islamabad, according to a Pakistani source. The outreach comes as Washington seeks to revive engagement through backchannel diplomacy.
US President Donald Trump said Iran was preparing an offer to address American concerns, though he did not provide details. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said Iran could secure a “good deal” if it agrees to abandon nuclear weapons in verifiable terms.
Araghchi met Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other senior officials during his visit. The White House had earlier said that special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would arrive in Islamabad on Saturday. However, Tehran has ruled out direct talks with US representatives for now, choosing to communicate through Pakistan.
The conflict has entered its ninth week. A ceasefire that began on June 24 was recently extended, but uncertainty continues to affect global energy markets, pushing prices higher and raising inflation concerns.
In a statement, Araghchi said he had outlined Iran’s “principled positions” regarding the ceasefire and the end of what he called the imposed war. An Iranian diplomatic source in Islamabad reiterated that Tehran would not accept demands it considers excessive, even as negotiations remain underway.