The latest information on the US-Iran negotiations: Araqchi arrived in Pakistan but does not want to talk directly with the Americans / What Trump said

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi arrived in the Pakistani capital Islamabad on Friday to discuss proposals to resume peace talks with the US, offering a glimmer of hope for an end to the eight-week war that has killed thousands and wreaked havoc on global markets.

US President Donald Trump told Reuters on Friday that Iran plans to make an offer to meet US demands, but added that he did not yet know what that offer would entail.

Iranians do not vote to negotiate directly with the Americans

When asked who the US is negotiating with, Trump replied: “I don't want to say that, but we're dealing with the people who are in charge right now.”

But Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman said Friday that Iranian officials did not plan to meet with American representatives, even as US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner planned to travel to Islamabad.

Iran's concerns will be conveyed to Pakistan, the spokesman said.

Following a US bombing campaign and Iran's blockade of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, the two countries are locked in a costly standoff, with Iran's oil exports blocked and US petrol prices hitting multi-year highs.

But Witkoff and Kushner leave to talk to Araqchi

Before the Iranian Foreign Ministry's statement, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said Witkoff and Kushner would leave for Pakistan on Saturday morning for talks with Araqchi.

Leavitt struck an upbeat tone, saying the U.S. has seen some progress from Iran in recent days and hopes more will follow this weekend.

She added that US Vice President JD Vance, who earlier this month led a failed first round of talks with Iran, is also set to travel to Pakistan.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the Iranians' assertion that they will not negotiate directly.

Pakistani sources said earlier that a US logistics and security team was already in Islamabad for possible talks.

Araqchi is on a 'tour' of Pakistan, Oman and Russia

Pakistan's foreign ministry confirmed Araqchi's arrival in Islamabad, where a massive military and paramilitary presence was visible in central areas of the city.

Araqchi went straight to a meeting with Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar at the Serena Hotel, where the first round of talks with the US took place, two government sources said.

Araqchi wrote on X that he is visiting Pakistan, Oman and Russia to coordinate with partners on bilateral issues and consult on regional developments.

The tour will include consultations on last-ditch efforts to end the war, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman later told Tehran's state media.

Hegset: Iran still has chance for 'good deal'

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said at a press conference on Friday that Iran has a chance to reach a “good deal” with the United States.

“Iran knows it still has an opportunity to choose wisely,” he said. “All they have to do is give up the nuclear weapon in meaningful and verifiable ways.”

The latest round of peace talks were due to resume on Tuesday but did not take place, with Iran saying it was not yet ready to commit to participation and the US delegation led by Vance not leaving Washington.

Trump unilaterally extended the truce by two weeks on Tuesday to allow more time for negotiations to resume.