White House Says Iran Negotiation Team to Head to Pakistan on the 25th, with Vance to Be Deployed if Needed

[Financial News]  

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on the 24th local time that Steven Charles Witkoff, a special envoy for U.S. President Donald Trump, and his son-in-law Jared Kushner will travel to Pakistan on the morning of the 25th local time to begin "direct talks" with Iran.
Leavitt told Fox News that day, "The Iranian side reached out" and requested face-to-face negotiations.
She added, "The president sent Steve and Jared to hear what they had to say," and said, "We hope this meeting becomes a productive conversation and that the ball moves toward an agreement."
The announcement suggested that behind-the-scenes talks between the two sides had made some progress amid the early-week tensions. It also indicated that a major obstacle may have been removed.
Leavitt, however, suggested that challenges still remain.
She said Vice President JD Vance, who led the first round of talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, with Iran, will not attend this weekend's meeting.
Leavitt said, "The vice president will remain deeply involved in the overall negotiation process," but added that he will stay in the United States with the president, United States Secretary of State Marco Antonio Rubio, and the rest of the national security team, while keeping updated on developments.
She then emphasized, "Of course, everyone is preparing to fly to Pakistan if necessary."
Leavitt said, "For now, Steve and Jared will brief the president, the vice president, and the rest of the team on the situation."
Earlier in the morning, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he was embarking on a "timely tour" that would include Islamabad, Muscat, the capital of Oman, and Moscow, Russia.


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