Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi will not hold any negotiation with U.S. officials during his visit to Pakistan's capital Islamabad, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Friday.
The report added that during his visit to Islamabad, Araghchi will hold talks solely with the Pakistani side on Iran's considerations about the end of the war with the United States and Israel.
Iran's state-run IRIB TV reported that while Araghchi does not have a plan to meet with the Americans, "Islamabad, as a bridge of communication, will 'convey' Iran's considerations for ending the conflicts."
Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the Iranian delegation led by Araghchi arrived in Pakistan on Friday night.
The Iranian foreign minister's trip will also include visits to Oman and Russia.
Commenting on his tour in a post on social media platform X on Friday, Araghchi said, "Embarking on timely tour of Islamabad, Muscat, and Moscow. Purpose of my visits is to closely coordinate with our partners on bilateral matters and consult on regional developments. Our neighbors are our priority."
Separately, Iran's Tasnim news agency reported on Friday that the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps had seized a vessel suspected of coordinating with the U.S. military.
A ceasefire was achieved between Iran, the United States and Israel on April 8 after 40 days of fighting, followed by lengthy talks between the Iranian and U.S. delegations in Islamabad on April 11 and 12, which failed to lead to an agreement.
The Iranian and U.S. delegations were reportedly expected to hold another round of peace talks in Pakistan this week, but Iran refrained from attending the negotiations citing the U.S. continued naval blockade and "excessive" demands as the main reasons.
Iran's FM not to hold talks with US officials in Pakistan visit: media
Japanese people gathered in Tokyo on Friday to protest against the government's recent decision to revise the "three principles on transfer of defense equipment and technology" which now allows the export of lethal weapons.
On Tuesday, the Japanese government, led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, officially revised the "three principles on transfer of defense equipment and technology" and their implementation guidelines.
The revisions scrap the restrictions that had limited arms exports to five non-combat categories, allow, in principle, the export of lethal weapons, permit transfers to nations engaged in active conflict under specified circumstances, and sideline parliament from the decision-making process -- crossing a line that previous governments had at least nominally upheld.
Protesters assembled in Shinjuku district on Friday evening, voicing strong opposition to the dangerous shift away from Japan's postwar pacifist principles and expressing deep concerns over Japan's failure to fully reflect on its wartime past.
"It's unforgivable. Revising the 'three principles on transfer of defense equipment and technology' through a simple Cabinet decision is absolutely unacceptable," said a protester.
"We should have properly reflected on the war that happened over 80 years ago, but we haven't. Is it acceptable if people are killed by the weapons, missiles, or bombs we export? Absolutely not. Such a thing must never be allowed to happen. That is why I strongly oppose this policy," said another protester.
Also on Friday, over a thousand protesters gathered in front of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) headquarters, holding placards and chanting slogans demanding the resignation of Takaichi.
They expressed growing frustration with the current administration and condemned the export of lethal weapons.
"This has gone too far. Japan is becoming an outrageous country. From exporting weapons to revising the Constitution, everything is shifting. The LDP has long had this tendency, and under the Takaichi administration, the situation has become even worse. If we don't stop this now, Japan will turn into a truly frightening nation," said a protester.
"Manufacturing and selling weapons that may be used to kill people is something the Japanese public cannot tolerate. The government made this decision arbitrarily, and it is completely unacceptable," said another protester.
"I really hope the government stops exporting lethal weapons. My child even asked me, 'Is Japan going to sell weapons and start a war?' We must do everything we can to prevent this from happening," said a mother participating in the rally, expressing her worry for future generations.
Protesters gather in Tokyo, protest against Japan's move to allow lethal weapon exports
