Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi left Islamabad for Moscow on Sunday, following brief stops in Pakistan and Oman, according to Iran's foreign ministry. His trip comes amid ongoing efforts to mediate indirect talks between Tehran and Washington. Araghchi met Pakistan's military chief Asim Munir, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday before travelling to Muscat and later returning to Islamabad. He is scheduled to meet with Russian officials, though Russia's foreign ministry did not confirm whether he would meet President Vladimir Putin. The Iranian ambassador stated Araghchi would also meet Putin on Monday. Fars news agency reported that Iran sent "written messages" to the US via Pakistan outlining its red lines, including on nuclear issues and the Strait of Hormuz, though it clarified these were not part of formal negotiations. The US had planned to send Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Islamabad, but President Donald Trump cancelled the trip, telling Fox News, "We have all the cards. If they want to talk, they can come to us." The Strait of Hormuz remains closed by Iran, disrupting global oil, gas, and fertiliser supplies. In response, the US has blockaded Iranian ports. Iran's Revolutionary Guards declared control of the Strait of Hormuz a "definitive strategy" on their official Telegram channel. Meanwhile, Israeli strikes hit southern Lebanon after evacuation warnings, despite a recent ceasefire extension. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hezbollah of violating the truce.
Abbas Araghchi questions US seriousness on diplomacy while relying on intermediaries Iran has already dismissed as ineffective. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz continues to disrupt global markets, directly affecting fuel and food prices in Nigeria. With no direct channels restored, Nigerians face higher import costs without any say in the diplomatic stalemate. The economic fallout hits home while talks go nowhere.
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