Acting as go-between in US-Iran talks: Dar

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan on Thursday officially confirmed that it was facilitating indirect talks between the US and Iran to help end hostilities in the Middle East, but stopped short of revealing any plans for a potential meeting in Islamabad between the two sides.

The acknowledgment marks the first time Islamabad has publicly admitted its role after days of intense speculation about backchannel diplomacy and a possible high-level engagement on its soil.

The confirmation came from Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who disclosed that Pakistan had conveyed a 15-point proposal from Washington to Tehran as part of the ongoing indirect exchanges.

In a statement posted on X, Dar sought to dispel what he described as "unnecessary speculation" surrounding the diplomatic process.

"There has been unnecessary speculation in the media regarding peace talks to end the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. In reality, US-Iran indirect talks are taking place through messages being relayed by Pakistan. In this context, the United States has shared 15 points, being deliberated upon by Iran," he stated.

Dar's remarks suggested a divergence from earlier Iranian signals, indicating that Tehran was actively considering the US proposals rather than dismissing them outright.

He also revealed that other regional players, including Türkiye and Egypt, were supporting the diplomatic initiative, pointing to a broader multilateral effort to defuse tensions.

"Pakistan remains fully committed to promoting peace and continues to make every effort to ensure stability in the region and beyond. Dialogue and diplomacy is the only way forward," Dar added.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Office sought to provide a broader context to Pakistan's diplomatic engagement while urging restraint amid a flood of unverified reports.

Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi, during his weekly briefing, rejected the perception that Pakistan had remained silent on the issue, highlighting a series of high-level engagements and official statements issued over the past few days.

The prime minister, Andrabi noted, had also publicly offered Pakistan's readiness—subject to concurrence by both Washington and Tehran to host meaningful and result-oriented negotiations leading to a comprehensive settlement of the conflict.

"With this broad policy framework, Pakistan has remained actively and constructively engaged with relevant regional stakeholders and beyond, consistently advocating for immediate de-escalation, cessation of hostilities and an irreversible path towards a peaceful resolution," the spokesperson said.

He emphasized that the prime minister was personally leading Pakistan's diplomatic outreach, with his messaging receiving international attention, including acknowledgment from the US leadership.

According to Andrabi, Ishaq Dar has also maintained "closed, continuous and robust engagement" with counterparts across the region and beyond to advance the peace initiative.

However, the Foreign Office expressed concern over what it described as speculative and unverified media reports, including claims about diplomatic exchanges and alleged travel itineraries of key officials.

"Diplomacy, particularly in moments of heightened sensitivity, requires discretion, patience and confidentiality. These are not mere preferences; they are essential prerequisites for success," Andrabi stressed, urging media outlets to rely on official sources and avoid conjecture.