Tehran: Pakistan's
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi arrived in Iran on Saturday for talks with Iranian
officials, as planned negotiations between the United States and Iran in
Switzerland were postponed following a ceasefire agreement between Israel and
Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Iranian
media reported that Naqvi landed in Mashhad and is expected to meet his Iranian
counterpart Eskandar Momeni and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The visit is
part of Pakistan's ongoing mediation efforts between Tehran and Washington,
which have been key to securing this week's interim deal. Qatar has also joined
the mediation efforts in the run-up to the agreement.
The
talks in Switzerland, initially scheduled for Friday at the Buergenstock
resort, were postponed after the White House announced that US Vice President
JD Vance would not attend, citing rising tensions in Lebanon. However, with the
Lebanon ceasefire now in place, US envoy Steve Witkoff is heading to
Switzerland to join Jared Kushner, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas
Araghchi plans to travel there on Saturday, according to Axios.
A
senior US official said the Lebanon ceasefire took effect around 4pm on Friday
following an exchange of fire, with negotiators from the United States and
Qatar working out the agreement with help from Iran. Israel and Hezbollah both
confirmed the ceasefire, though Israel said it would keep its forces in
southern Lebanon.
The interim US-Iran deal, a 14-point memorandum signed this week, provides for a 60-day window to resolve disputes over Iran's nuclear programme, sanctions relief, and the unfreezing of Iranian assets. The body set up by Iran to manage the Strait of Hormuz said it would waive planned fees during the negotiation period. President Donald Trump defended the deal against Republican criticism, saying: "The War has diminished Iran! ... They are FINISHED! We'll play out the 60 days."
