Pakistan Lifts US-Iran Negotiation Site Restrictions... Second Round of Talks Faces Obstacles
by Lee Hyunwoo
Published 27 Apr.2026 14:30(KST)
Araghchi Heads to Russia to Meet Putin
Second Round of Talks Unlikely Anytime Soon
On April 26 (local time), the government of Pakistan lifted restrictions on major security zones in the capital, Islamabad, which had been in place amid expectations for a second round of talks between the United States and Iran. However, it is now expected that a second round of talks between the two sides will not resume in the near future.
Ishaq Dar, Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, announced on the social media platform X that "the traffic restrictions around the Serena Hotel and the Red Zone in Islamabad have been lifted today," and expressed his sincere gratitude, stating, "I sincerely thank the people of Pakistan for their patience and cooperation, especially the residents of Islamabad and Rawalpindi."
Previously, starting from the 19th, the government of Pakistan implemented access restrictions in major security zones in Islamabad to prepare for a possible second round of talks between the United States and Iran. In addition, the entry of large cargo trucks into Islamabad was also restricted. However, it has been reported that residential and commercial areas around the Noor Khan Airbase remain closed.
With Pakistan lifting its security measures, the chances of a second round of talks between the United States and Iran taking place imminently are now considered slim. Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump canceled the dispatch of a negotiating team to Islamabad, Pakistan. In an interview with Fox News, President Trump said regarding negotiations with Iran, "We will conduct them by phone. If they want, they can just call us," adding, "I'm not going to send people (the U.S. negotiating delegation) on an 18-hour journey." He further emphasized, "They cannot have nuclear weapons. Otherwise, there is no reason to meet."
After visiting Pakistan and Oman in succession starting from April 24, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who had planned to head to Russia, briefly stayed in Pakistan, submitted a written proposal for a ceasefire to the United States, and immediately departed for Russia. Minister Araghchi has arrived in Saint Petersburg, Russia, and is scheduled to hold talks with President Vladimir Putin on April 27.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.