Iran’s defence ministry has said the United States was seeking a “face-saving” way to exit the war, as US envoys travelled to Pakistan for peace negotiations.

“Our military power today is a dominant force, and the enemy is looking for a face-saving way to escape the war quagmire it has become trapped in,” media outlet ISNA quoted a ministry spokesperson as saying.

The statement comes as US representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to leave for Islamabad, though Iran has said direct negotiations are not on the cards.