Pakistan, July 7 -- Pakistan is preparing to receive a high-level Iranian delegation in the coming days in a visit that diplomats say could pave the way for Islamabad to host the next round of indirect talks between Tehran and Washington as both sides try to keep a fragile diplomatic track alive after weeks of tension.

Iran's interior minister, Eskandar Momeni, is expected to fly to Islamabad immediately after the funeral ceremonies for Iran's late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which culminate in Mashhad on July 9. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who announced the visit during a joint press conference in Tehran, said arrangements had already been made for the Iranian team.

The Iranian delegation is expected to include officials...