Pezeshkian’s visit comes a day after senior U.S. and Iranian officials held negotiations in Switzerland, where Vice President JD Vance and Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf launched a 60-day diplomatic process intended to produce a permanent settlement following the recent war involving Iran, the United States and Israel.

The talks have exposed differences over key implementation details. Vance said discussions in Switzerland included an understanding that inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) would be allowed to visit Iranian nuclear facilities. However, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said on Tuesday that no inspections had been scheduled for sites previously damaged in U.S. strikes.

The IAEA has maintained a presence in Iran since the 2025 conflict between Israel and Iran, but inspectors have not been granted access to several enrichment facilities targeted during the hostilities.

Security was heightened across parts of Islamabad as Pezeshkian met Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The visit marks the Iranian leader’s first trip to Pakistan since the conflict that began with U.S. and Israeli military action against Iran on Feb. 28.

Ahead of the meetings, Pezeshkian stressed that progress in the negotiations would depend on all parties fulfilling their commitments.

“The effectiveness of the talks depends on full commitment to the agreed obligations and their precise implementation,” Pezeshkian wrote on the social media platform X. “Progress on this path will be measured by practical adherence to accepted responsibilities.”

Iranian officials said the ongoing technical discussions in Switzerland have established several working groups focused on sanctions relief, nuclear issues, postwar reconstruction and verification mechanisms.

According to Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency, Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said negotiators had also created coordination mechanisms related to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and efforts to reduce tensions along the Israel-Lebanon frontier.

One of the key outcomes of the initial negotiations was an agreement to establish a “de-confliction cell” intended to address hostilities between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement in Lebanon. Mediators from Pakistan and Qatar said the mechanism would involve the Lebanese government and seek to uphold the cessation of military operations.

Questions remain, however, about the effectiveness of the arrangement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that Israeli forces would retain full operational freedom to respond to perceived threats, while Hezbollah has maintained that it will not halt attacks permanently unless Israel withdraws from contested areas in southern Lebanon.

Neither Israel nor Hezbollah is a formal participant in the U.S.-Iran negotiating framework, complicating efforts to translate diplomatic understandings into durable security arrangements on the ground.

U.S. President Donald Trump, when asked about Netanyahu’s remarks, said Washington would monitor developments closely and expressed confidence that outstanding issues could be resolved.

A ceasefire in Lebanon brokered over the weekend appeared to be holding on Tuesday, with no immediate reports of renewed strikes by either side.

Lebanese and Israeli officials were expected to hold another round of direct talks in Washington later on Tuesday, with discussions focused on potential arrangements for an Israeli military withdrawal and broader security guarantees along the border.

The negotiations represent one of the most significant diplomatic efforts in the region since the end of the Iran conflict and are being closely watched by governments concerned about nuclear oversight, maritime security and the risk of renewed hostilities across the Middle East.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said the May 17 strike hit an electrical generator outside the plant’s inner perimeter, causing a fire and forcing operators to rely on emergency generators.

The UAE has blamed pro-Iran militias in Iraq for the attack, which occurred during weeks of missile and drone exchanges linked to the wider Middle East conflict.

Grossi told an IAEA board meeting in Vienna that the incident could have disrupted the plant’s external power supply and undermined several of the agency’s key principles for maintaining nuclear safety during armed conflict.

While no injuries or radiation leaks were reported, Grossi warned that attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities carry the risk of a serious radioactive release and should be considered a “no-go” under international norms.

He praised the response of the UAE plant’s operators, saying their training and preparedness helped prevent a potentially more serious incident.

The Barakah facility, located in Abu Dhabi’s Al-Dhafra region, began operations in 2020 and supplies up to a quarter of the UAE’s electricity demand.

The comments came as the IAEA also continued discussions with Iran, China and Russia over monitoring Iran’s nuclear activities and verifying its stockpile of enriched uranium amid ongoing regional tensions.

According to the RIA news agency, Rosatom said it was confident conditions would soon permit the redeployment of employees to the Bushehr facility, where the company is overseeing construction of two additional nuclear reactor units.

The company had withdrawn hundreds of Russian specialists from the site after military hostilities escalated at the end of February, when the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran during the broader regional conflict.

The Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant is Iran’s only operational nuclear power station and represents one of Moscow’s most significant energy cooperation projects with Tehran.

The status of nuclear infrastructure in Iran has drawn heightened international attention during the conflict, particularly after reports earlier this year of strikes near the Bushehr complex.

Russia previously condemned military action near the facility, warning of potential nuclear safety risks and broader regional consequences if civilian nuclear infrastructure were damaged.

Rosatom’s reported plans to resume staffing operations suggest Moscow believes the security situation around the plant has stabilized sufficiently to continue work on the expansion project.

Russia and Iran have maintained close cooperation in the nuclear energy sector for years despite Western sanctions and geopolitical tensions surrounding Tehran’s nuclear program.

The agreement emerged during the opening phase of a two-day summit in the Chinese capital that both sides framed as an effort to preserve cooperation between the world’s two largest economies despite disputes over trade, Taiwan and global security.

Xi told Trump that stable ties between China and the United States benefited the international community and warned that confrontation between the two countries would damage both sides.“When we cooperate, both sides benefit; when we confront each other, both sides suffer,” Xi said during opening remarks at the Great Hall of the People.

Trump, whose approval ratings have come under pressure amid the Iran war and rising inflation, described the gathering as potentially “the biggest summit ever” and invited Xi to visit Washington later this year.During a state banquet, Trump praised Xi as “a great leader” and said the two countries would pursue broader cooperation despite ongoing strategic rivalry.

Chinese officials said economic negotiations held in South Korea on Wednesday between US and Chinese trade teams had produced “balanced and positive outcomes,” aimed at preserving a trade truce reached last October that suspended steep tariffs and eased tensions over rare earth exports.

The leaders also discussed expanding cooperation in agriculture, trade and artificial intelligence while exchanging views on conflicts in the Middle East, Ukraine and the Korean Peninsula, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.Taiwan remained a central point of friction.

Xi warned Trump that mishandling the issue could push bilateral relations toward “a dangerous situation,” according to China’s foreign ministry.Taiwan, the democratically governed island claimed by Beijing, continues to receive military support from Washington under longstanding US law despite the absence of formal diplomatic recognition.

Joining Trump in Beijing were senior US business executives including Elon Musk and Jensen Huang, reflecting Washington’s push for greater access to Chinese markets and reduced trade imbalances.China, meanwhile, is seeking relief from US export restrictions on advanced semiconductors and chipmaking equipment.

Analysts said shifting geopolitical conditions have altered the balance of the relationship since Trump’s previous Beijing visit in 2017. While China’s economy has slowed, Beijing faces less immediate domestic political pressure than Washington, where inflation, legal disputes over tariffs and the Iran conflict have complicated Trump’s agenda ahead of midterm elections.

The Iran conflict also featured prominently in discussions, with Trump expected to encourage Beijing to press Tehran toward a diplomatic settlement. However, analysts said China was unlikely to significantly reduce support for Iran, which Beijing views as an important strategic partner and counterweight to US influence.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said it was in China’s economic interest to help stabilize the Gulf region, noting that disruptions in shipping and trade would affect Chinese exports and maritime traffic.

Citing U.S. officials familiar with the matter, the report said Trump concluded during a White House Situation Room meeting on Monday that both resuming bombing campaigns and fully stepping back from the conflict carried greater risks than maintaining a naval squeeze on Iran’s oil exports and shipping routes.

According to the report, Trump believes Iran is not negotiating in good faith and wants Tehran to suspend uranium enrichment for 20 years while accepting strict long-term restrictions on its nuclear activities. Officials said the administration views the blockade as a way to intensify pressure without immediately reopening large-scale military operations.

Trump signaled frustration publicly on Wednesday, writing on his Truth Social platform that Iran “can’t get their act together” and warning Tehran to “better get smart soon.”

“Iran can’t get their act together. They don’t know how to sign a nonnuclear deal.They better get smart soon!” Trump posted, alongside an image carrying the caption “NO MORE MR. NICE GUY!”The reported strategy would rely on the U.S. Navy continuing efforts to restrict vessels traveling to and from Iranian ports, further tightening pressure on oil exports that are central to Iran’s economy.

Analysts say the approach risks extending instability around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy transit routes.Oil markets reacted sharply to reports of a prolonged blockade, with Brent crude rising to a one-month high above $114 a barrel on concerns over sustained supply disruption and continued uncertainty over shipping through the Hormuz corridor.

The White House has not formally announced a policy shift, and Iranian officials have not publicly responded to the Wall Street Journal report.The decision suggests Washington may be preparing for a prolonged standoff in which active fighting remains limited but diplomacy remains frozen, leaving the conflict in what analysts describe as a “no-deal, no-war” phase.

“No, I wouldn’t use it,” Trump told reporters at the White House, referring to nuclear weapons. “Why would I use a nuclear weapon when we’ve, in a very conventional way, decimated them without it?” he added, while also stating that such weapons “should never be allowed to be used by anybody.”

The remarks come after Trump earlier this month warned that Iran faced destruction, comments that drew scrutiny before a ceasefire was agreed and subsequently extended.

During the conflict, Vice President JD Vance said Washington was prepared to intensify its military response using capabilities not previously deployed, though the White House denied that nuclear weapons were under consideration.

Trump reiterated that his objective was to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, saying he sought an Iran “without a nuclear weapon” that could threaten U.S. cities or regional stability. Tehran has consistently denied pursuing nuclear arms, and the International Atomic Energy Agency has said an atomic weapon was not imminent prior to the outbreak of hostilities.

The United States remains the only country to have used nuclear weapons in combat, during the final stages of World War II, when atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Israel is widely believed to possess nuclear weapons but has not publicly confirmed their existence.

Trump’s statement appears to contrast with longstanding U.S. nuclear doctrine, which has not ruled out the potential use of nuclear weapons under certain conditions.

Previous administrations, including that of Barack Obama, have advocated for reducing nuclear risks while maintaining deterrence capabilities.

The announcement came a day after talks in Pakistan ended without agreement, underscoring persistent divisions over terms to end a conflict launched on Feb. 28 by the United States and Israel. The blockade is aimed at pressuring Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and accept a broader settlement addressing its nuclear and missile programs, as well as its regional activities.

Trump indicated that diplomatic channels remain open, saying Iran had reached out to explore a possible resolution. “We’ve been called by the right people … and they want to work a deal,” he told reporters outside the White House.Iran signaled conditional openness to negotiations.

Judiciary chief Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei said discussions must proceed on the basis of “principles and logic,” while other officials warned that Tehran would respond if the situation escalates.The blockade drew sharp reactions from Iran, which threatened countermeasures targeting ports across the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, raising the risk that the two-week ceasefire declared earlier could collapse before its April 22 expiry.

At the core of the dispute remain differences over Iran’s nuclear program and control of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply typically passes. Its closure has already disrupted markets and driven up oil prices.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who led the American delegation in the recent talks, said Iran had not provided assurances it would refrain from pursuing nuclear weapons capability. Tehran has long denied such intentions while defending its right to civilian nuclear development, including uranium enrichment.

Iran’s negotiating position, articulated by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, emphasized sovereignty over the strait, an end to hostilities, and compensation for wartime damage.

Iranian officials also dismissed the blockade as exaggerated, with parliamentary spokesperson Ebrahim Rezaei describing it as “more bluffing than reality.”Pakistan has indicated it may facilitate further dialogue, with Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar expressing willingness to host another round of talks, though no timeline has been confirmed.

Both sides have maintained firm public positions, with Trump warning that any Iranian attempt to challenge the blockade would be met with force, while Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said the measure risked further destabilizing the global economy.

The announcement came a day after talks in Pakistan ended without agreement, underscoring persistent divisions over terms to end a conflict launched on Feb. 28 by the United States and Israel. The blockade is aimed at pressuring Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and accept a broader settlement addressing its nuclear and missile programs, as well as its regional activities.

Trump indicated that diplomatic channels remain open, saying Iran had reached out to explore a possible resolution. “We’ve been called by the right people and they want to work a deal,” he told reporters outside the White House.

Iran signaled conditional openness to negotiations. Judiciary chief Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei said discussions must proceed on the basis of “principles and logic,” while other officials warned that Tehran would respond if the situation escalates.

The blockade drew sharp reactions from Iran, which threatened countermeasures targeting ports across the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, raising the risk that the two-week ceasefire declared earlier could collapse before its April 22 expiry.

At the core of the dispute remain differences over Iran’s nuclear program and control of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply typically passes. Its closure has already disrupted markets and driven up oil prices.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who led the American delegation in the recent talks, said Iran had not provided assurances it would refrain from pursuing nuclear weapons capability. Tehran has long denied such intentions while defending its right to civilian nuclear development, including uranium enrichment.

Iran’s negotiating position, articulated by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, emphasized sovereignty over the strait, an end to hostilities, and compensation for wartime damage.

Iranian officials also dismissed the blockade as exaggerated, with parliamentary spokesperson Ebrahim Rezaei describing it as “more bluffing than reality.”
Pakistan has indicated it may facilitate further dialogue, with Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar expressing willingness to host another round of talks, though no timeline has been confirmed.

Both sides have maintained firm public positions, with Trump warning that any Iranian attempt to challenge the blockade would be met with force, while Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said the measure risked further destabilizing the global economy.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said it was “imperative” that both parties maintain their ceasefire commitments, adding that Islamabad would continue facilitating dialogue between Washington and Tehran following the inconclusive talks.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who led the American delegation, said the absence of a deal was “bad news for Iran much more than it’s bad news for the United States,” reiterating Washington’s demand for a firm commitment from Tehran not to pursue nuclear weapons capability.

He said the United States had made its “red lines” clear, including preventing Iran from acquiring both nuclear weapons and the means to rapidly develop them.

Iranian officials rejected the U.S. position, with state-linked Tasnim news agency reporting that “excessive” American demands had hindered progress. Tehran signaled that discussions would continue, with technical teams expected to exchange documents in follow-up engagements.

Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said the U.S. had failed to build trust during the talks despite what he described as “forward-looking” proposals from the Iranian side. He emphasized longstanding skepticism rooted in past negotiations, saying Washington must demonstrate credibility before progress can be made.

Iran’s foreign ministry also downplayed the outcome, stating that no agreement had been expected in a single session and expressing confidence that diplomatic contacts would continue with Pakistan and other regional actors.

Former Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif attributed the breakdown to what he called U.S. attempts to “dictate” terms, warning that negotiations with Iran would not succeed under unilateral conditions.

The Islamabad meeting marked the highest-level direct engagement between the United States and Iran in more than a decade and the most senior talks since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

The discussions were aimed at halting a conflict that began over six weeks ago and has driven up global oil prices while threatening key maritime routes.Central to the negotiations was the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for roughly one-fifth of global energy supplies.

The U.S. military said it was preparing to ensure safe navigation through the waterway, including mine-clearing operations, while Iranian state media denied any U.S. naval transit in the area.

Tehran has demanded control over the strait, war reparations, and broader ceasefire arrangements extending to regional theaters including Lebanon. U.S. officials have focused on securing freedom of navigation and curbing Iran’s nuclear enrichment capabilities.

The talks took place under tight security in Islamabad, where thousands of paramilitary forces were deployed. Pakistani officials described fluctuating tensions during the discussions, with “mood swings” and intermittent progress reported by sources familiar with the negotiations.

The Iranian delegation, which arrived dressed in black to mourn those killed in the conflict, also raised concerns about a U.S. airstrike on a school near a military compound, an incident the Pentagon has said is under investigation.

Despite the impasse, analysts noted the seniority and size of the Iranian delegation as an indication of Tehran’s willingness to engage, even as deep mistrust continues to define the diplomatic landscape.

Witkoff, speaking during a cabinet meeting, confirmed for the first time that the United States had passed the proposal via Pakistan, which is facilitating indirect communication between the two sides.

He said the effort sought to present Iran with what he described as a critical juncture, warning that failure to engage could lead to further escalation.

Germany’s foreign minister Johann Wadephul said the United States and Iran had already held indirect contacts and were preparing for a potential face-to-face meeting. He told Deutschlandfunk radio that such a meeting could take place “very soon” in Pakistan, though no official date was disclosed.

Pakistan’s role as a conduit underscores the absence of direct diplomatic ties between Washington and Tehran, with both sides relying on intermediaries to exchange proposals amid heightened regional tensions.

lAccording to the details outlined by Witkoff, the U.S. proposal includes stringent conditions on Iran’s nuclear activities. These include a prohibition on weaponization, dismantling of the Fordow nuclear facility, cessation of uranium enrichment, a ban on stockpiling nuclear material, and the transfer of enriched uranium to the United States.

Iranian authorities are currently reviewing the proposal, though no formal response has been announced.

The diplomatic push comes against the backdrop of an ongoing Middle East conflict that has drawn in multiple regional actors and intensified scrutiny of Iran’s military and nuclear posture. U.S. officials have framed the proposal as part of a broader effort to reduce hostilities and prevent further destabilization.

Witkoff said the outcome would depend on whether Tehran views the current moment as an opportunity to shift course, adding that discussions remain at a preliminary stage.