Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi left Pakistan, a mediator in cease-fire talks with the United States, to visit Oman and returned to Islamabad, the Pakistani capital, a day later, Iranian state media reported on the 26th local time.
Iran's Tasnim news agency said, "Minister Araghchi paid a courtesy call on Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said and departed Muscat, the Omani capital, for Islamabad."
Iranian state broadcaster IRIB also briefly reported that Minister Araghchi was heading to Islamabad. Later, Iran's state-run IRNA news agency released photos confirming that Minister Araghchi had arrived at Islamabad airport.
However, there has been no specific explanation yet as to why Minister Araghchi returned to Pakistan.
Minister Araghchi began a tour on the 24th to visit Pakistan, Oman and Russia in succession. His arrival in Pakistan, the mediator, on the 24th prompted speculation that a second round of cease-fire talks with the United States could take place.
However, Minister Araghchi met with Army Chief Asim Munir, considered Pakistan's de facto power holder, and others, conveyed Iran's position and demands on the cease-fire issue, and moved to Oman on the 25th. As a result, whether cease-fire talks with the United States will continue has become even more uncertain.