WASHINGTON: The White House has sought to tamp down mounting speculation in international media about possible US-Iran negotiations being hosted in Islamabad, stressing that no meeting has been confirmed.
Responding to reports that senior American officials could soon meet Iranian counterparts in Pakistan, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said: “These are sensitive diplomatic discussions, and the US will not negotiate through the press. This is a fluid situation, and speculation about meetings should not be deemed as final until they are formally announced by the White House.”
It may be recalled here that Pakistani leaders, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, have publicly offered to facilitate dialogue aimed at easing tensions in the Middle East, with local outlets suggesting that figures such as US Vice President JD Vance, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner might travel to Islamabad for talks.
However, the White House has not confirmed any venue, participants, or timeline, deliberately keeping details under wraps. Officials underscored that diplomacy on such matters is not conducted via leaks or conjecture.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry also urged restraint, advising domestic media to avoid speculation and await official announcements.
Diplomatic sources indicated that efforts between Washington and Tehran are “proceeding apace,” but stressed that no face-to-face meeting in Pakistan has been scheduled. Iranian officials, meanwhile, have pushed back against some of the more detailed claims circulating in the press.
For now, the situation remains fluid, with both Washington and Islamabad emphasizing that any formal announcement will come only through official channels.
