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Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi returned to Pakistan's capital Islamabad on Sunday after a one-day visit to Oman, Iranian state media reported, as efforts to resume peace talks stall.
During his visit to Oman, his first trip to the Gulf since the war began, Mr Araghchi discussed with Sultan Haitham the latest regional developments and mediation efforts to end the Iran war during a meeting in Muscat.
His travels are part of a broader diplomatic tour that includes consultations with neighbouring countries on ongoing developments and efforts to address the conflict involving Iran.
During his brief stop in Pakistan, the Foreign Minister will exchange views with Pakistani officials on the latest regional and international developments. He is then expected to visit Russia.
Mr Araghchi met mediators in Pakistan on Saturday and left Islamabad for Oman well ahead of the planned arrival of the US envoys. He said in a social media post that Iran has “yet to see if the US is truly serious about diplomacy.”
US President Donald Trump cancelled the visit by his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, dealing back-to-back blows to peace prospects.
In Muscat, Oman's Sultan Haitham stressed the importance of prioritising dialogue and diplomacy to address regional challenges and help consolidate peace, the Oman News Agency reported.
He also outlined ways to advance diplomatic efforts aimed at reaching sustainable political solutions and mitigating the impact of crises on people across the region.
Mr Araghchi expressed Iran’s appreciation for Oman’s role in supporting dialogue and promoting regional security and stability, particularly amid current tensions.
Iran's Foreign Ministry said the two men discussed security in the Strait of Hormuz and nearby waters, and diplomatic efforts to end the Iran-US conflict.
Mr Araghchi said the US military presence in the Middle East was fuelling insecurity and division and called for a regional security framework free of outside interference.
Iran carried out hundreds of attacks on Gulf states after the US and Israel attacked the Islamic Republic on February 28.
The attacks targeted civilian infrastructure including ports and energy centres, causing Gulf relations with Iran to deteriorate. Oman's maritime infrastructure also suffered attacks and cargo disruption.
Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, said Tehran continued to place “great importance” in relations with Gulf states and that it remained “committed to strengthening mutual trust”.
“The Oman–Iran relationship stands as a testament to Iran’s genuine pursuance of respectful and mutually beneficial relations with its neighbours,” he added.
Muscat has traditionally played a big role as mediator between Iran and the US.
Mr Araghchi was expected to visit mediator Pakistan again after completing his trip to Oman, before travelling to Russia, Iran's Mehr news agency reported on Saturday.
Hopes of a diplomatic breakthrough in the US-Israeli war with Iran receded as a new week began, with talks aimed at ending the two-month conflict at a standstill and both Tehran and Washington showing little willingness to soften their terms.
The deadlock leaves the world's biggest economy and a major oil power locked in a confrontation that has already pushed energy prices to multiyear highs, stoked inflation, and darkened global growth prospects.
On Saturday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif by phone that Tehran would not enter “imposed negotiations” under threats or blockade, according to a statement from the Iranian government.
Mr Pezeshkian said the US should first remove “operational obstacles,” including its blockade on Iranian ports, before negotiators can lay any groundwork to resolve the conflict.
Tehran has largely closed the Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, while Washington blocks Iran's oil exports.
