US negotiators will travel to Islamabad; but, Iran has stated there will be no direct discussions.

US negotiators are set to depart for Pakistan on Saturday; however, Iran has stated that its authorities do not intend to engage with the Americans over the cessation of the conflict that has resulted in numerous fatalities and disrupted global markets.

President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, are scheduled to depart on Saturday morning for discussions with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, according to the White House.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said reporters that Iran has an opportunity to negotiate a “favourable agreement” with the United States.Iran is aware that they still possess an opportunity to make a prudent choice,” he stated. “They must relinquish a nuclear weapon in significant and verifiable manners.”

Trump asserts that Iran intends to extend a proposal.

Araqchi arrived in Islamabad, the capital, on Friday. An Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson announced on X that Iranian authorities do not want to meet with U.S. personnel and that Tehran’s objections will be communicated to the mediator, Pakistan.

The White House did not promptly reply to a request for commentary regarding the Iranian statement.

Washington and Tehran are at a detrimental stalemate as Iran has predominantly restricted access to the Strait of Hormuz, which typically facilitates one-fifth of world oil shipments, while the U.S. obstructs Iran’s oil exports. The ongoing battle, now in its ninth week, has elevated energy prices to multi-year peaks, exacerbating inflation and diminishing global GDP forecasts.

On Friday, Trump informed Reuters that Iran intended to propose a deal to meet U.S. criteria, although he was unaware of the specifics of the offer. He refrained from disclosing the identity of Washington’s negotiating counterparts, however, “but we are engaging with the individuals currently in authority.”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the U.S. has observed some advancements from Iran in recent days and anticipates further developments this weekend, while Vice President JD Vance is prepared to visit to Pakistan as well.

Vance, Witkoff, Kushner, Araqchi, and the speaker of Iran’s parliament, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, participated in unproductive discussions in Islamabad two weeks prior.

Araqchi announced on X his upcoming visits to Pakistan, Oman, and Russia. He met with Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday at the Serena Hotel, the venue for previous discussions, while a U.S. logistics and security team was present in Islamabad, according to Pakistani sources.

Ceasefires are established; minimal maritime traffic is traversing the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump unilaterally prolonged a two-week ceasefire on Tuesday to provide additional time for the negotiations to regroup.

Oil prices escalated this week, with Brent oil futures increasing by 16%, because to uncertainty surrounding the peace negotiations and a resurgence of violence in the region.

Shipping statistics from Friday indicated just five vessels traversed the Strait of Hormuz in the preceding 24 hours, in contrast to about 130 the day prior to the conflict initiated by the U.S. and Israel on February 28. The vessels comprised an Iranian oil-products tanker, although excluded the large crude-carrying supertankers that typically supply global energy markets.

On Thursday, Israel and Lebanon prolonged their truce for three weeks during a White House meeting facilitated by Trump, however there was few indication of a resolution to the hostilities in southern Lebanon.

Israel launched an incursion into its northern neighbour last month to eliminate Iran’s Hezbollah affiliates following cross-border firing from the militant organization. Tehran asserts that a truce is a prerequisite for negotiations.

Lebanese officials said that six individuals were killed by an Israeli airstrike, while Hezbollah successfully intercepted an Israeli drone. The Israeli military reported the elimination of six armed Hezbollah operatives in southern Lebanon.