Pakistan keeps faith in US-Iran deal prospects

FO signals ongoing mediation role for Islamabad in talks

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan on Thursday expressed cautious optimism that an agreement between the US and Iran "is reachable", even as it acknowledged that no breakthrough emerged from the marathon 21-hour talks held in Islamabad.

In his first formal briefing following the negotiations, the Foreign Office spokesperson emphasised continuity in its facilitative role, stressing that while no concrete document was finalised, the process remains firmly intact.

Tahir Andrabi described the talks as "constructive" and underscored that despite the absence of a major outcome, there was also no collapse in dialogue.

"It is very difficult to ascribe a metric system… inches, meters, centimeters," Andrabi remarked when asked to quantify progress.

"Pakistan remains positive, optimistic that an agreement/understanding is reachable and we are approaching the process with the same positivity."

"There was certainly not a major breakthrough… but there was no breakdown as well," he said.

The high-stakes engagement, which extended well beyond 24 hours in total presence, reflected what officials termed "intensive and extensive negotiations", with both delegations demonstrating endurance and commitment under demanding conditions.

"Twenty-one sleepless hours… applying your mind on intricate issues, was commendable," the spokesperson noted, praising the resilience of both sides.

Islamabad used the occasion to highlight its evolving diplomatic footprint, positioning itself as a credible intermediary capable of maintaining trust with both Washington and Tehran.

According to the spokesperson, Pakistan's role did not conclude with the Islamabad round but has transitioned into a sustained diplomatic effort aimed at preserving momentum.

"Pakistan's role as mediator and facilitator did not stop when the Islamabad talks concluded. It continued," he said.

This ongoing engagement includes high-level outreach across the region. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar are currently visiting key capitals, while Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir visited Tehran as part of parallel efforts to maintain direct channels.

"These initiatives should be seen as part of a continuum," Andrabi explained, adding that Pakistan would "continue to advocate for peace, prosperity and stability" while keeping communication lines open between the two adversaries.

"We would not comment on the specifics," the spokesperson said, reiterating that discretion remains essential. "The position of the relevant parties is their trust on us. We keep this trust and we maintain confidentiality."

He further clarified that Pakistan's stance remains "impartial to individual positions but partial to peace."

Pakistan has also sought to broaden support for its mediation efforts by keeping key partners informed. The spokesperson noted that friendly countries are being regularly briefed as part of an effort to build what he described as an "open covenant of peace."

While welcoming support from global actors including Russia, Andrabi emphasized that the "principal channels of communication are taking place through Islamabad."