Fresh diplomatic momentum is building around possible talks between the United States and Iran, with both sides signalling cautious openness even as they stop short of confirming direct engagement.

The White House announced that special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are set to travel to Pakistan on Saturday to participate in talks expected over the weekend. The move is being seen as a tentative step toward reviving dialogue amid heightened regional tensions.

At the same time, Tehran confirmed that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will also visit Islamabad as part of a broader regional tour that includes stops in Oman and Russia. However, semi-official Iranian media downplayed the prospect of direct talks with American officials, underscoring the cautious and complex nature of the diplomatic overtures.

“We have seen some progress from Iran,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, adding that senior officials remain on standby should the discussions gain traction. “Everyone will be on standby to fly to Pakistan if necessary,” she noted.

According to reports by CNN, the outreach could expand quickly if initial contacts prove productive. JD Vance is said to be on standby in Washington, alongside President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, ready to escalate engagement at short notice.

For Tehran, Araghchi framed his trip as part of a wider diplomatic push rather than a narrowly focused negotiation with Washington. “The purpose of my visits is to closely coordinate with our partners on bilateral matters and consult on regional developments,” he said, emphasizing that “our neighbors are our priority.”