Pakistan Offers to Host US-Iran Talks as Regional Diplomacy Intensifies
By Sabeeh Zanair :
Pakistan has offered to facilitate potential talks between the United States and Iran, with both sides expressing confidence in Islamabad’s role amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Sunday.
Speaking in a televised address after a quadrilateral meeting in Islamabad, Mr Dar said Pakistan would be “honoured” to host negotiations aimed at ending the ongoing crisis.
“Both Iran and the United States have expressed confidence in Pakistan to facilitate the talks,” he said, adding that Islamabad was ready to support “meaningful dialogue for a comprehensive and lasting settlement”.
Regional meeting in Islamabad
The remarks came after foreign ministers from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Egypt met in the Pakistani capital to discuss the worsening regional situation.
Mr Dar said the meeting involved “very detailed and in-depth discussions” on the conflict and possible diplomatic efforts to bring it to an end.
“We agreed that this war is not in favour of anyone and will only lead to death and destruction,” he said, stressing that unity among Muslim countries was essential during the crisis.
The four countries also reaffirmed their commitment to diplomacy as the only viable path to reduce tensions and prevent further escalation.
According to Mr Dar, participants agreed to establish a committee of senior officials from their foreign ministries to work out the framework for future coordination.
International backing for mediation
Pakistan’s initiative has received support from several international partners.
Mr Dar said he had spoken with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who expressed Beijing’s backing for Pakistan’s efforts to host dialogue between Tehran and Washington.
He also held a conversation with the United Nations secretary-general, who voiced support for Islamabad’s peace initiative.
“Friends around the world have shown appreciation and confidence in Pakistan’s efforts,” Mr Dar said.
Separate diplomatic meetings
Ahead of the quadrilateral talks, Mr Dar held separate meetings with his counterparts from Türkiye, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
In discussions with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, both sides reviewed bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation across multiple sectors.
Talks with Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty focused on strengthening defence, trade and institutional cooperation, while both countries also stressed the importance of diplomatic solutions to regional disputes.
Mr Dar also met Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, with the two leaders emphasising the need for dialogue and collective efforts to maintain regional stability.
Security tightened in Islamabad
The high-level meeting prompted tight security measures in the capital. Several roads leading to Islamabad’s Red Zone — which houses government offices and diplomatic missions were temporarily closed.
Foreign ministers from Türkiye and Egypt arrived in Islamabad late on Saturday, while the Saudi foreign minister reached the city on Sunday.
Diplomatic push amid regional war
Pakistan has intensified diplomatic outreach since tensions escalated following US and Israeli strikes on Iran earlier this year and Tehran’s subsequent retaliatory attacks.
Islamabad has been engaging Washington, Gulf states and other regional players in an effort to create space for negotiations.
Diplomatic sources say a potential meeting between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi could take place in Pakistan in the coming days.
Some officials have suggested that a ceasefire announcement might coincide with the start of talks, although the situation remains uncertain as the conflict continues to unfold across the region.
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