Iran's top diplomat in Pakistan to mediate in the escalation with India over the Kashmir attack

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Iran’s foreign minister held talks with top Pakistani officials on Monday to try and mediate in the escalation between Islamabad and New Delhi after last month’s deadly attack on tourists in the Indian-controlled part of Kashmir, as the United Nations urged both sides to exercise restraint.

Abbas Araghchi's visit to Islamabad was the first by a foreign dignitary since tensions flared in the wake of the April 22 massacre of 26 people, most of them Indian Hindu tourists, in the town of Pahalgam, which India blames on Pakistan. Islamabad denies the accusation.

Tehran has offered to help ease tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors.

Araghchi held separate meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who thanked him for his peace efforts, according to government statements. Araghchi will visit India this week, according to Pakistani state-run media.

Antonio Guterres, the U.N. Secretary General, also urged both sides later Monday to exercise restraint: “Make no mistake: A military solution is no solution,” he told reporters.

"Now is the time for maximum restraint and stepping back from the brink,” Guterres said. “The United Nations stands ready to support any initiative that promotes de-escalation, diplomacy, and a renewed commitment to peace.”

Islamabad has offered to cooperate with an international investigation. India hasn’t accepted the offer so far, and several world leaders have urged both sides to show restraint and avoid further escalation.

Pakistan's military has been on high alert after Cabinet Minister Attaullah Tarar cited intelligence indicating that India could attack.

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said in televised remarks Monday that Pakistan “will exercise full restraint, but if India takes any adventurous step, then we will give a befitting response.”

According to a ministry statement, Dar, in talks with Araghchi, rejected what he described as India’s attempts to implicate Pakistan in the Kashmir attack.

Dar had earlier welcomed mediation to defuse the tensions with India. Since last week, he said that he's spoken to more than a dozen foreign dignitaries, including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

“We will not be the first to take any escalatory step,” Dar said, adding that he had warned the international community should there be “any act of aggression by India, Pakistan will resolutely defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

He also accused the Indian air force of attempting to breach Pakistani airspace on April 29. Pakistan scrambled aircraft and forced Indian jets to turn back, he said. There was no immediate comment from India on those claims.

Pakistani Information Minister Attaullah Tarar led Monday a group of journalists to the mountain village of Bella Noor Shah, near Muzaffarabad — the main city in Pakistan-administered Kashmir — where he said that New Delhi had falsely claimed the presence of a militant training camp.

Residents of the village told reporters they had never seen any such camp in the area.

Meanwhile, Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal wrote on X that Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday and “strongly condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam."

Pakistan’s military said Monday that it test fired a short-range missile, the second such test launch after a medium-range missile on Saturday.

The military said that the Fatah surface-to-surface missile has a range of 120 kilometers (75 miles) and was launched from an undisclosed location. Such missiles are never fired toward India, and usually end up reaching the Arabian Sea or the deserts of southern Balochistan province

Kashmir is split between India and Pakistan and claimed by both in its entirety. The two countries have fought two of their three wars over the Himalayan region and their ties have been shaped by conflict, aggressive diplomacy and mutual suspicion, mostly because of their competing claims over Kashmir.

Militants in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir have been fighting New Delhi’s rule since 1989. Many Muslim Kashmiris support the rebels’ goal of uniting the territory, either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country.

Mushaal Hussein, the wife of a top Kashmiri rebel leader, Mohammed Yasin Malik, accused India of falsely implicating Pakistan in the attack on tourists. She made her remarks Monday after attending a flag-lowering ceremony, a dramatic daily show of strength on both sides of the border. Malik, who is imprisoned in India on terror charges, married her in Pakistan in 2009.

The latest flare-up led the two countries to expel each other’s diplomats and nationals, as well as the shuttering of airspace.

Dar, Pakistan's foreign minister, denounced India's unilateral decision to suspend a water-sharing treaty.

In the town of Akhnoor in Indian-controlled Kashmir, where the Chenab River flows into Pakistan, residents said that water levels were so low, people could walk across the river on Monday.

“I have never seen this river dry in my life,” said 55-year-old farmer Bal Krishan, adding that he agreed with “Modi’s decision to suspend the treaty and punish” Pakistan.

There was no immediate comment from officials.

Muhammad Yousaf reported from Muzaffarabad. Farnoush Amiri at the United Nations, Rajesh Roy in New Delhi, Channi Anand in Akhnoor, India, and Ishfaq Hussain in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan, contributed to this report.

Pakistan's Rangers soldiers, in black, and Indian Border Security Forces soldiers, behind the gate, stand guard during a daily closing ceremony at the Wagah, a joint post on the Pakistan and India border, near Lahore, Pakistan, Monday, May 5, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

Pakistan's Rangers soldiers, in black, and Indian Border Security Forces soldiers, behind the gate, lower their flags during a daily closing ceremony at the Wagah, a joint post on the Pakistan and India border, near Lahore, Pakistan, Monday, May 5, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

Indian Border Security Forces soldiers gesture during a daily closing ceremony at the Wagah, a joint post on the Pakistan and India border, near Lahore, Pakistan, Monday, May 5, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

Pakistan's Rangers soldiers, bottom, and Indian Border Security Forces soldiers, top, march during a daily closing ceremony at the Wagah, a joint post on the Pakistan and India border, near Lahore, Pakistan, Monday, May 5, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

Pakistan's Rangers soldiers march during a daily closing ceremony at the Wagah, a joint post on the Pakistan and India border, near Lahore, Pakistan, Monday, May 5, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

Pakistan's Rangers soldiers, in black, and Indian Border Security Forces soldiers, behind gate, gesture each others during a daily closing ceremony at the Wagah, a joint post on the Pakistan and India border, near Lahore, Pakistan, Monday, May 5, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

Pakistan's Rangers soldiers, in black, and Indian Border Security Forces soldiers, behind the gate, lower their flags during a daily closing ceremony at the Wagah, a joint post on the Pakistan and India border, near Lahore, Pakistan, Monday, May 5, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

Pakistan's Rangers soldiers, in black, and Indian Border Security Forces soldiers, behind the gate, parade during a daily closing ceremony at the Wagah, a joint post on the Pakistan and India border, near Lahore, Pakistan, Monday, May 5, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

Mushaal Hussein, right, the wife of a top Kashmiri rebel leader, Mohammed Yasin Malik, talks to media as her daughter Razia Sultan watches, at the Wagah, a joint post on the Pakistan and India border, near Lahore, Pakistan, Monday, May 5, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

Pakistan's Rangers soldiers, bottom, and Indian Border Security Forces soldiers, top, parade during a daily closing ceremony at the Wagah, a joint post on the Pakistan and India border, near Lahore, Pakistan, Monday, May 5, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

Mushaal Hussein, center, the wife of a top Kashmiri rebel leader, Mohammed Yasin Malik, talks to media as her daughter Razia Sultan, left, watches, at the Wagah, a joint post on the Pakistan and India border, near Lahore, Pakistan, Monday, May 5, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

People cross the Chenab River after the flow of water was halted from a dam, at Akhnoor, on the outskirts of Jammu, India, Monday, May 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Channi Anand)

A boat stands still at the dry Chenab river after the water was halted from a dam, at Akhnoor, on the outskirts of Jammu, India, Monday, May 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Channi Anand)

People cross the Chenab River after the flow of water was halted from a dam, at Akhnoor, on the outskirts of Jammu, India, Monday, May 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Channi Anand)

Pakistan's Rangers soldiers, bottom, and Indian Border Security Forces soldiers, top, parade during a daily closing ceremony at the Wagah, a joint post on the Pakistan and India border, near Lahore, Pakistan, Monday, May 5, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

Pakistan's Rangers soldiers, in black, and Indian Border Security Forces soldiers, behind the gate, lower their flags during a daily closing ceremony at the Wagah, a joint post on the Pakistan and India border, near Lahore, Pakistan, Monday, May 5, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

In this photo, released by the Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghch, left, shakes hand with his Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, right, prior to their meeting in Islamabad, Pakistan, Monday, May 5, 2025. (Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs via AP)

Students attend their class in Aligarh School and College of Commerce and Science in Dara Batang during a government's organized trip for media to Bella Noor Shah, a mountainous village near Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan administered Kashmir, Monday, May 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Muhammad Yousuf, Pool)

Supporters of Pasban-e-Hurriyat Jammu and Kashmir chant slogans next to burning tires during an anti-India demonstration, in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan administered Kashmir, Monday, May 5, 2025. (AP Photo/M.D. Mughal)

Supporters of Pasban-e-Hurriyat Jammu and Kashmir chant slogans during an anti-India demonstration, in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan administered Kashmir, Monday, May 5, 2025. The placard in the center reads "Jammu and Kashmir want idepdendenoe from India". (AP Photo/M.D. Mughal)

Supporters of Pasban-e-Hurriyat Jammu and Kashmir hold an anti-India demonstration, in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan administered Kashmir, Monday, May 5, 2025. (AP Photo/M.D. Mughal)

Supporters of Pasban-e-Hurriyat Jammu and Kashmir chant slogans during an anti-India demonstration, in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan administered Kashmir, Monday, May 5, 2025. (AP Photo/M.D. Mughal)

A villager walks through a wheat field during a government's organized trip for media to Bella Noor Shah, a mountainous village near Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan administered Kashmir, Monday, May 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Muhammad Yousuf, Pool)

A cameraman records an interview with a villager during a government's organized trip for media to Bella Noor Shah, a mountainous village near Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan administered Kashmir, Monday, May 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Muhammad Yousuf, Pool)

Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, center, briefs journalists during a government's organised trip for media to Bella Noor Shah, a mountainous village near Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan administered Kashmir, Monday, May 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Muhammad Yousuf, Pool)

Villager women walk on a dusty track during a government's organized trip for media to Bella Noor Shah, a mountainous village near Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan administered Kashmir, Monday, May 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Muhammad Yousuf, Pool)

Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, center, briefs journalists during a government's organized trip for media to Bella Noor Shah, a mountainous village near Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan administered Kashmir, Monday, May 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Muhammad Yousuf, Pool)

Students attend their class in Aligarh School and College of Commerce and Science in Dara Batang during a government's organized trip for media to Bella Noor Shah, a mountainous village near Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan administered Kashmir, Monday, May 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Muhammad Yousuf, Pool)

A student walks towards the Aligarh School and College of Commerce and Science in Dara Batang during a government's organized trip for media to Bella Noor Shah, a mountainous village near Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan administered Kashmir, Monday, May 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Muhammad Yousuf, Pool)

FILE - Indian security officers inspect the site where militants indiscriminately opened fired on tourists on Tuesday, in Pahalgam, Indian controlled Kashmir, Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (AP Photo, File)

Villager walk on a dusty track during a government's organized trip for media to Bella Noor Shah, a mountainous village near Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan administered Kashmir, Monday, May 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Muhammad Yousuf, Pool)

FILE - An Indian paramilitary soldier walks past graffiti on a wall in Srinagar, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Aug. 29, 2016. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin, File)

Pakistan's Rangers soldiers, in black, and Indian Border Security Forces soldiers, lower their flags during a daily closing ceremony at the Wagah, a joint post on the Pakistan and India border, near Lahore, Pakistan, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

Farmers participate in a rally against the suspension of a water-sharing treaty by India, in Lahore, Pakistan, Sunday, May 4, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

Supporters of Muttahida Qabail Federation party burn a rendition of the Indian flag and poster with the picture of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a demonstration in Quetta, Pakistan, Sunday, May 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Arshad Butt)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran wants to negotiate with Washington after his threat to strike the Islamic Republic over its bloody crackdown on protesters, a move coming as activists said Monday the death toll in the nationwide demonstrations rose to at least 544.

Iran had no immediate reaction to the news, which came after the foreign minister of Oman — long an interlocutor between Washington and Tehran — traveled to Iran this weekend. It also remains unclear just what Iran could promise, particularly as Trump has set strict demands over its nuclear program and its ballistic missile arsenal, which Tehran insists is crucial for its national defense.

Meanwhile Monday, Iran called for pro-government demonstrators to head to the streets in support of the theocracy, a show of force after days of protests directly challenging the rule of 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iranian state television aired chants from the crowd, who shouted “Death to America!” and “Death to Israel!”

Trump and his national security team have been weighing a range of potential responses against Iran including cyberattacks and direct strikes by the U.S. or Israel, according to two people familiar with internal White House discussions who were not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

“The military is looking at it, and we’re looking at some very strong options,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Sunday night. Asked about Iran’s threats of retaliation, he said: “If they do that, we will hit them at levels that they’ve never been hit before.”

Trump said that his administration was in talks to set up a meeting with Tehran, but cautioned that he may have to act first as reports of the death toll in Iran mount and the government continues to arrest protesters.

“I think they’re tired of being beat up by the United States,” Trump said. “Iran wants to negotiate.”

He added: “The meeting is being set up, but we may have to act because of what’s happening before the meeting. But a meeting is being set up. Iran called, they want to negotiate.”

Iran through country's parliamentary speaker warned Sunday that the U.S. military and Israel would be “legitimate targets” if America uses force to protect demonstrators.

More than 10,600 people also have been detained over the two weeks of protests, said the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which has been accurate in previous unrest in recent years and gave the death toll. It relies on supporters in Iran crosschecking information. It said 496 of the dead were protesters and 48 were with security forces.

With the internet down in Iran and phone lines cut off, gauging the demonstrations from abroad has grown more difficult. The Associated Press has been unable to independently assess the toll. Iran’s government has not offered overall casualty figures.

Those abroad fear the information blackout is emboldening hard-liners within Iran’s security services to launch a bloody crackdown. Protesters flooded the streets in the country’s capital and its second-largest city on Saturday night into Sunday morning. Online videos purported to show more demonstrations Sunday night into Monday, with a Tehran official acknowledging them in state media.

In Tehran, a witness told the AP that the streets of the capital empty at the sunset call to prayers each night. By the Isha, or nighttime prayer, the streets are deserted.

Part of that stems from the fear of getting caught in the crackdown. Police sent the public a text message that warned: “Given the presence of terrorist groups and armed individuals in some gatherings last night and their plans to cause death, and the firm decision to not tolerate any appeasement and to deal decisively with the rioters, families are strongly advised to take care of their youth and teenagers.”

Another text, which claimed to come from the intelligence arm of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, also directly warned people not to take part in demonstrations.

“Dear parents, in view of the enemy’s plan to increase the level of naked violence and the decision to kill people, ... refrain from being on the streets and gathering in places involved in violence, and inform your children about the consequences of cooperating with terrorist mercenaries, which is an example of treason against the country,” the text warned.

The witness spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity due to the ongoing crackdown.

The demonstrations began Dec. 28 over the collapse of the Iranian rial currency, which trades at over 1.4 million to $1, as the country’s economy is squeezed by international sanctions in part levied over its nuclear program. The protests intensified and grew into calls directly challenging Iran’s theocracy.

Nikhinson reported from aboard Air Force One.

In this frame grab from video obtained by the AP outside Iran, a masked demonstrator holds a picture of Iran's Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi during a protest in Tehran, Iran, Friday, January. 9, 2026. (UGC via AP)

In this frame grab from footage circulating on social media from Iran shows protesters taking to the streets despite an intensifying crackdown as the Islamic Republic remains cut off from the rest of the world in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026.(UGC via AP)

In this frame grab from footage circulating on social media from Iran showed protesters once again taking to the streets of Tehran despite an intensifying crackdown as the Islamic Republic remains cut off from the rest of the world in Tehran, Iran, Saturday Jan. 10, 2026. (UGC via AP)