A high-level Iranian delegation, led by Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, arrived in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad late Friday night. The delegation's visit is for participation in scheduled talks with the United States.
Upon the delegation's arrival at Islamabad Airport, the Iranian officials were received by a number of Pakistani authorities, who welcomed them with bouquets of flowers.
The Iranian delegation includes, alongside the parliamentary speaker, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Akbar Ahmadian, and Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati. The group is also composed of members from various security, political, military, economic, and legal committees, as well as representatives from the Iranian parliament.
For its part, Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its hope that all parties would engage in the talks constructively.
In related reporting, Iranian state television indicated that the U.S.-Iranian talks would commence only if the opposing party accepts Iran's preconditions. The broadcast further emphasized Tehran's position that, should an agreement satisfactory to Iran and the "Axis of Resistance" not be reached, targets in Israel and American interests across the Middle East region would be at risk.