Iran is still open to talks with the U.S. under the Pakistan-brokered deal, its envoy in Islamabad says

As of 4:12 p.m. ET, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026

Iran remains open to talks with the United States under the Pakistan-brokered interim deal reached in June, Iran's ambassador to Pakistan said Saturday, while accusing Washington of undermining diplomacy, The Associated Press reported.

Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam said Iran recently conveyed through Pakistan that it was prepared to reopen the Strait of Hormuz if Washington lifted its naval blockade, but accused President Donald Trump of rejecting the proposal by insisting the blockade of Iranian ports would continue, according to the AP.

Speaking at a seminar in Islamabad, Moghadam said Iranian officials had conveyed their willingness to reopen the strait during visits to Tehran by Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, provided Washington ended its blockade, the AP reported.

Pakistan and Qatar helped broker the June agreement, which sought to restore shipping through the strait, lift the U.S. naval blockade and begin negotiations toward a broader deal on Iran's nuclear program, according to the AP.

Defense pact

Moghadam said Tehran would study the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey before deciding whether to support it. "We will study the Makkah Agreement, and if it is good, we will support it," he said, according to the AP.

Turkish and Pakistani officials say the agreement is defensive and does not target Iran or any other country, the AP reported.