US special envoy Steve Witkoff and presidential adviser Jared Kushner have remained in Islamabad as high-level US–Iran negotiations continue under Pakistan’s facilitation, according to Al Arabiya, signaling that discussions are still ongoing despite unresolved differences between the two sides.
The extended stay of senior US officials suggests that diplomatic efforts have entered a more critical and sensitive phase, with negotiators continuing behind-closed-doors engagement aimed at narrowing gaps on key issues including regional security concerns, sanctions-related demands, and maritime stability in strategic waterways.
The talks in Islamabad have reportedly involved multiple rounds of direct and indirect exchanges, with Pakistan acting as a mediator to keep communication channels open. The process has been described by diplomatic sources as intensive and fluid, with both sides still engaged rather than stepping away from negotiations.
The US delegation is understood to include senior figures such as Witkoff and Kushner, alongside Vice President JD Vance, while the Iranian side is being represented by top political and diplomatic leadership. Despite sustained engagement, no final breakthrough has been reached so far, and core differences remain intact.
Earlier reporting indicated that the discussions have moved through technical-level consultations and extended sessions, reflecting the complexity of the issues on the table. While the atmosphere remains cautious, neither side has walked away, keeping hopes of incremental progress alive.
The Islamabad engagement comes against the backdrop of Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic effort to facilitate dialogue between Washington and Tehran following heightened regional tensions in recent months. Islamabad has positioned itself as a neutral venue, providing logistical and security support for what is being viewed as one of the most significant diplomatic contacts between the two sides in years.
For now, the continued presence of senior US negotiators in the capital points to one clear signal: the talks are not over yet, and both sides are still testing the possibility of narrowing long-standing divides.
