Iran sent messages to US via Pakistan, IRGC-linked media says

President Donald Trump said on Sunday the United States would take control of Iran’s “nuclear dust” as part of negotiations.

He also criticized NATO for not supporting Washington in the conflict with Iran.

Trump said in remarks to Fox News “NATO was not there for us” and added that Britain had said it would send ships only after the war ends, saying “that’s not good.”

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s return to Islamabad is not related to nuclear negotiations but aimed at continuing regional consultations, IRGC-affiliated Tasnim news agency reported.

The report said Araghchi, who visited Pakistan, Oman and is set to travel to Russia, returned briefly to Islamabad to follow up on recent talks with Pakistani officials, including on bilateral ties and mediation efforts.

Discussions include conveying Iran’s conditions to end the war—such as guarantees against further military action, easing maritime restrictions and other demands—and are not related to nuclear issues, Tasnim added.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani discussed regional developments and ceasefire efforts in a phone call, Iranian state media said on Sunday.

A senior Iranian lawmaker said the ceasefire was accepted to rebuild military capacity and replenish weapons, remarks aired on state television on Sunday.

Ebrahim Azizi, head of parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, said the pause in fighting offered “an opportunity to reload and strengthen the armed forces.”

“Some ask whether accepting a ceasefire at this stage was right or not. My answer is that it was necessary to rebuild capabilities and improve our forces,” Azizi said.

President Donald Trump and members of his administration were likely targets of a suspect who opened fire on a security agent guarding the White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington, US Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said on Sunday.

The man fired a shotgun at a Secret Service agent at a checkpoint in the Washington Hilton hotel before being subdued and arrested. Trump and first lady Melania Trump were escorted out of the dinner.

“It does appear that he did, in fact, set out to target folks that work in the administration, likely including the president,” Blanche told NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” adding the suspect likely traveled by train from Los Angeles to Chicago and then to Washington.