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US Envoys Meet Iran in Pakistan, 34 Ships Blocked

4/24/2026

25 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Pakistan will host a round of U.S.–Iran peace talks as President Donald Trump’s envoys arrive.
Special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are meeting Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi in Pakistan to discuss proposals.
Vice President JD Vance remains in Washington standby to travel to Islamabad if negotiations require him.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the blockade has turned back 34 ships while Iranian oil moves via a shadow fleet.

History

Historical Context

After Hassan Rouhani’s 2013 election, Barack Obama’s administration joined the P5+1 to negotiate the Joint Plan of Action, leading to the July 14 2015 JCPOA that capped enrichment at 3.67% and saw roughly 13,000 centrifuges dismantled. The U.S. withdrew in 2018, and in 2024 envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi in Islamabad to revive that framework.

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Story summary

Pakistan will host a round of U.S.–Iran peace talks as President Donald Trump’s envoys arrive.
Special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are meeting Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi in Pakistan to discuss proposals.
Vice President JD Vance remains in Washington standby to travel to Islamabad if negotiations require him.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the blockade has turned back 34 ships while Iranian oil moves via a shadow fleet.

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