The minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran, Abbas Araghchi, left Islamabad this Saturday after holding an intense round of meetings with military and civilian officials of Pakistan, without waiting for the arrival of the American representatives who had planned to travel to the Pakistani capital.
According to diplomatic sources cited by EFE, Araqchi departed with his delegation heading to Oman, the next stop on a regional tour that will also include Russia, at a moment of maximum tension following the failure of the latest indirect contacts between Washington and Tehran.
No direct contact with Washington
From the beginning of the visit, the Iranian delegation had made it clear that the trip did not contemplate meetings with envoys from United States. Araqchi's departure before the American arrival confirms, for now, the absence of a direct channel of dialogue in Islamabad.
Pakistan had emerged in recent days as a possible channel of communication between both sides, especially after the resurgence of the regional conflict and tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.
Oman returns to the center of the board
The next destination for the head of Iranian diplomacy will be Oman, a country that has traditionally carried out mediation efforts between Iran and the United States in times of crisis. Muscat was already key in previous contacts related to the Iranian nuclear program and prisoner exchanges.
The choice of Oman suggests that Tehran keeps the negotiating option open, although without accepting the format promoted by Washington for now.
Russia, strategic partner
After Oman, Araqchi will foreseeably travel to Russia, Iran's main international ally along with China. Moscow maintains close coordination with Tehran on various geopolitical fronts and can play a relevant role in any eventual diplomatic solution.
Parallel diplomacy in full crisis
The departure of the Iranian minister from Pakistan without contact with the US reflects the current political deadlock: both sides continue to talk, but not to each other. They do so through third countries, cross messages, and indirect channels.
In a context of military threats, economic pressure, and fragmented negotiation, Araqchi's move leaves a clear idea: diplomacy continues, but still far from a visible agreement.