An Iranian reporter based in Islamabad, quoted in a post on X by@ShaykhSulaiman, said: 'We have no idea why Kushner and Witkoff are being sent to Islamabad, ameeting with them is not on the Foreign Ministry's agenda. Furthermore, FM Araghchi will likely already have departed Pakistan by the time they arrive.' IBTimes UK could not independently confirm the reporter's identity or institutional affiliation.
However, the mission faced an immediate setback. A post on X claimed Araghchi had left Pakistan before Kushner and Witkoff arrived. Multiple outlets, includingAPandArab News, reported that Araghchi had arrived in Islamabad on Friday, with the US envoys due to follow on Saturday. Trump had previously claimed Tehran was 'seriously fractured.'
An Iranian reporter based in Islamabad, quoted in a post on X by@ShaykhSulaiman, said: 'We have no idea why Kushner and Witkoff are being sent to Islamabad, ameeting with them is not on the Foreign Ministry's agenda. Furthermore, FM Araghchi will likely already have departed Pakistan by the time they arrive.'
The attempt to bridge the gap between Washington and Tehran has been met with resistance from the Iranian side. The timing of the envoys' trip was intended to catch Araghchi before his scheduled departure from Pakistan. However, it is reportedly unlikely that Kushner and Witkoff would be able to meet him before he left.
This lack of coordination has raised questions about the administration's intelligence on Araghchi's movements ahead of the mission. It also highlights a growing gap between the White House's stated expectations and the reported reality of Tehran's diplomatic posture.
JUST IN: IRAN'S SUPREME LEADER HAS REPORTEDLY FORBID NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE U.S.An Iranian reporter based in Islamabad stated:"We have no idea why Kushner and Witkoff are being sent to Islamabad, a meeting with them is not on the Foreign Ministry’s agenda. Furthermore, FM…pic.twitter.com/zYkHJACz4e
Public reaction to the White House announcement has been overwhelmingly critical, with many users expressing disbelief. One observer compared the diplomatic duo to 'Laurel & Hardy' andsaid'US is getting desperate.'
Other users have gone further, accusing the administration of 'lying again and again about peace.' Meanwhile, some questioned if the administration did its homework before sending the two envoys because the Foreign Minister is flying for Iran's interests and not to negotiate with America. So, Kushner and Witkoff are unlikely to meet him and their mission is doomed.
There are also criticisms directed at the choice of representatives, with one post asking why 'zionists Kushner and Witkoff' were being sent to negotiate Iranian interests. Some commentators dismissed the entire mission as 'market manipulation Friday,' suggesting the news was released to influence financial sectors rather than achieve peace.
Lol, US is getting desperate: They got ghosted by Iran at the talks that were supposed to happen at the ceasefire's end, and now they're flying Laurel & Hardy out in the hope they'll catch Aragachi before he flies out of Pakistan.-pic.twitter.com/tip0uuppBF
Source: International Business Times UK
