Iran’s top diplomat made a brief, somewhat unexpected return to Pakistan on Sunday, as regional efforts to revive stalled U.S.–Iran diplomacy have not yielded a deal to wind down the war.

Abbas Araghchi had departed the capital late Saturday. Iranian state media later confirmed he returned before going to Moscow. 

Prior to his Pakistan visit, Araghchi was in Oman, which has historically served as an intermediary between Tehran and Washington and sits along the Strait of Hormuz.

Pakistani civilian and military leaders have been working behind the scenes to restart ceasefire-style negotiations between Iran and the United States.

The White House said last week it planned to send envoys, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, but President Trump called off the trip on Saturday.

Trump said he had canceled the delegation due to a lack of progress and a long flight, suggesting that any further engagement could take place remotely by phone.

“If they want to talk, they can come to us, or they can call us. You know, there is a telephone. We have nice, secure lines,” Trump said Sunday on Fox News, emphasizing that Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon.

“They know what has to be in the agreement. It’s very simple: They cannot have a nuclear weapon, otherwise there’s no reason to meet,” he added.