Iran says it will not accept ‘maximalist’ US demands as Pakistan pursues peace

(Reuters)

ISLAMABAD/WASHINGTON, April 25 – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi laid out Iran’s demands and its reservations about U.S. positions on Saturday as Pakistan made a new push to end a war that has killed thousands and shaken global energy markets.

After holding talks with ​Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other top officials, Araqchi and his delegation flew out of Pakistan’s capital Islamabad with a military jet escort, government sources said. Details of the ‌talks were scant.

The White House had earlier said President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner would travel to Islamabad on Saturday.

It was not immediately clear if or when Araqchi would return to Pakistan. Iran has previously ruled out a new round of direct talks with the United States.

Washington and Tehran are at an impasse as Iran has largely closed the Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments, while the U.S. blocks Iran’s oil exports.