Pakistan signals Iran-UStalks in 'coming days'

Islamabad hosts FMs of key Muslim powers Participants agree prolonged war serves no one Beijing, UN throw weight

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan on Sunday signalled a major diplomatic breakthrough, with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar announcing that Islamabad could host high-stakes talks between Iran and the United States "in the coming days" amid intensifying efforts to de-escalate a rapidly deteriorating regional security situation.

The announcement came at the conclusion of the second round of quadrilateral consultations involving foreign ministers from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Egypt, held in Islamabad. This was part of a coordinated push by key Muslim countries to seek an end to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

"I briefed the visiting brother foreign ministers about the prospects of potential US-Iran talks in Islamabad. The visiting foreign ministers expressed their fullest support for this initiative," Dar said in a televised statement after the four-way talks.

"Pakistan will be honoured to host and facilitate meaningful talks between the two sides… for a comprehensive and lasting settlement," Dar said, adding that both Tehran and Washington had expressed confidence in Islamabad's role as a neutral facilitator.

The development marks a significant diplomatic moment for Pakistan, which has quietly positioned itself as a key intermediary between the United States and Iran in recent weeks.

Islamabad had already played a behind-the-scenes role in transmitting a 15-point US proposal to Tehran, a move seen as laying the groundwork for possible direct engagement.

The Islamabad meeting brought together the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Egypt at Pakistan's invitation, following the inaugural session held in Riyadh earlier this month.

Dar said the four countries held "very detailed and in-depth discussions" on the evolving regional situation and explored pathways to secure an early and permanent end to the war.

The ministers voiced deep concern over the "devastating impact on lives and livelihood" caused by the ongoing conflict, warning that continued hostilities would only lead to further destruction.

"There was a clear consensus that this war is not in favour of anyone," Dar noted, underscoring the urgency of collective diplomatic efforts.

The participants also stressed the importance of unity within the Muslim world during a time of crisis, calling it essential to effectively respond to emerging challenges.

A key highlight of the consultations was the strong endorsement by Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Egypt of Pakistan's initiative to facilitate Iran-US talks.

Dar briefed his counterparts on the prospects of such engagement in Islamabad. All three countries expressed full support for the effort, a development that lends broader regional legitimacy to Pakistan's mediation role.

The four foreign ministers also agreed on the need to contain the situation, reduce the risks of further military escalation and create conditions conducive to structured negotiations.

They emphasised that dialogue and diplomacy remained the only viable path forward, while calling for adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter, including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Pakistan's diplomatic push has also received backing from major international stakeholders. Dar revealed that China extended full support to Islamabad's initiative following his telephonic conversation with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Similarly, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has endorsed Pakistan's peace efforts.

In addition, Dar said he had held multiple conversations with foreign ministers from various countries, all of whom conveyed their confidence in Pakistan's role and pledged support for its mediation efforts.

"There is a strong appreciation among all our friends for the efforts being made by Pakistan," he said. The latest initiative reflects Islamabad's broader strategy of proactive diplomacy in response to the regional crisis.

Pakistan has maintained close engagement with both regional and global actors, including the United States, in an effort to prevent further escalation.

Officials say Islamabad's unique position—maintaining working relations with Washington while enjoying close ties with Tehran—has enabled it to act as a credible interlocutor.

Apart from crisis diplomacy, the quadrilateral meeting also focused on strengthening cooperation among the four countries across multiple domains.

The ministers discussed ways to deepen coordination and build a more structured framework for collaboration, signalling that the grouping could evolve into a more permanent consultative mechanism.

While Dar's announcement has raised cautious optimism, diplomatic sources acknowledge that significant challenges remain.

The success of any Iran-US engagement will depend on bridging deep-seated mistrust and addressing contentious issues that have long defined the relationship between the two adversaries.

Nevertheless, Pakistan's emergence as a potential venue for talks reflects a rare moment of diplomatic convergence and a test of its ability to translate facilitation into tangible outcomes.

As the region braces for further uncertainty, all eyes are now on Islamabad, where a breakthrough however tentative could reshape the trajectory of the conflict.