Story perspectives

Iran Seeks Pakistan-US Talks Amid IRGC Power Shift

4/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad on April 24, followed by U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner on April 25, setting up a possible trilateral meeting.
IRGC Commander Ahmad Vahidi defeated Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf in an internal power struggle, prompting Ghalibaf to consider resigning over nuclear concession disagreements.
Iran’s leadership posted a photo of President Masoud Pezeshkian, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Judiciary Head Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei to show national unity.

History

Historical Context

Since a 2002 revelation of undeclared nuclear sites, the IAEA referred Iran to the UN Security Council, prompting sanctions from 2006. Secret talks in 2013 produced the Geneva interim agreement, leading to the April 2015 framework and the July 14 2015 JCPOA that lifted tens of billions of dollars in sanctions. Today, Iran’s foreign minister’s visit to Islamabad revives those diplomatic tracks amid internal power struggles.

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Story summary

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad on April 24, followed by U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner on April 25, setting up a possible trilateral meeting.
IRGC Commander Ahmad Vahidi defeated Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf in an internal power struggle, prompting Ghalibaf to consider resigning over nuclear concession disagreements.
Iran’s leadership posted a photo of President Masoud Pezeshkian, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Judiciary Head Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei to show national unity.

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