Iranian Official Denies Reports of Negotiation Delegation Traveling Abroad

An informed Iranian official denied today, Friday, the validity of reports regarding the Iranian negotiation delegation traveling outside the country, asserting that these reports are baseless. The official indicated that, "contrary to some circulating media campaigns, the Iranian negotiating delegation has not undertaken any trip outside the country," considering what is published in this regard as falling under what he described as "media disinformation." This denial comes amidst reports of potential diplomatic movements related to Iranian negotiations, without any official announcement of a visit or external meeting by the Iranian delegation. In a related development, the foreign ministers of China and Pakistan on Friday called on the United States and Iran to cease fighting and return to the negotiating table, following their meeting in Shanghai, according to a statement issued by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The statement noted that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar "expressed their concern over the deteriorating current situation and urged all concerned parties to immediately cease hostilities and return to dialogue." On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Iran desires a meeting, coinciding with continuous threats and escalation between the two sides. Trump mentioned in an interview with "Fox Business" network that the Iranians "want to reach a settlement and we'll see if a settlement can be reached with them."