₦airaland Forum

Pakistan’s foreign minister on Sunday indicated the prospect of potential talks between the US and Iran to de-escalate the ongoing war, noting that both countries have expressed their "confidence" in Islamabad to facilitate their discussions.

Ishaq Dar made these remarks while addressing the media after holding quadrilateral consultations with his counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkiye.

The leaders also discussed ways to bring an “early and permanent end to the war" in the region as they reviewed the West Asia conflict.

After the quadrilateral consultations, Dar briefed the visiting dignitaries on the prospects of potential US-Iran talks in Islamabad.

"The visiting foreign ministers expressed their fullest support to this initiative,” he said.

"In this context, Pakistan is very happy that both Iran and the US have expressed their confidence in Pakistan to facilitate their talks. Pakistan will be honoured to host and facilitate meaningful talks between the two sides in the coming days for a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the ongoing conflict," he added.

He said the foreign ministers “reaffirmed unity to contain the situation, reduce the risks of military escalation and create conditions for structured negotiations between relevant parties”.

It was the second meeting of consultations among the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Egypt, following the first meeting held in Riyadh on March 19.

Dar said that the four foreign ministers had a very detailed discussion on the current regional situation.

"We also discussed possible ways to bring an early and permanent end to the war in the region,” he said.

He added that all participants expressed concerns that the ongoing conflict was “extremely unfortunate for its devastating impact on lives and livelihood across the wider region”.

“We agreed that this war is not in favour of anyone and would only lead to death and destruction; the unity of the Muslim ummah in these challenging times is of utmost importance,” he said.

Pakistan, along with Turkiye and Egypt, is making efforts to bring the US and Iran to the negotiating table, but so far without success.

Officials, however, are keeping fingers crossed for such a meeting in the coming week.

Dar said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz, Pakistan has maintained regular engagement with regional and international partners.

"We have remained actively involved in all efforts and initiatives aimed at bringing this conflict to an end," he said.

Calling Pakistan–US relations "very important," he said that they had remained actively engaged with the US leadership as part of efforts to de-escalate the situation and find a peaceful resolution to the conflict, The Express Tribune reported.

Dar further added that he had also had a detailed telephonic conversation with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, saying that China fully supports Pakistan's initiative to host Iran–US talks, the report said.

The foreign minister also said he had held “very productive” bilateral meetings with the three foreign ministers, who also called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.


Separately, the FO in a midnight post on X said that Dar held a telephonic conversation with Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi and “discussed the evolving regional situation and ongoing developments”.

Dar said that he emphasised the need for de-escalation, stressing that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable path for lasting peace.

In a related development, Dar announced Iran agreed to allow 20 more ships under the Pakistani flag to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

“I am pleased to share the great news that the Government of Iran has agreed to allow 20 more ships under the Pakistani flag to pass through the Strait of Hormuz; two ships will cross the Strait daily,” he said.

“This is a welcome and constructive gesture by Iran and deserves appreciation. It is a harbinger of peace and will help usher stability in the region,” he added.

In the post, the Pakistan foreign minister tagged US Vice President J. D. Vance, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, and Araghchi and concluded it by saying that “dialogue, diplomacy, and such confidence-building measures are the only way forward”.

Pakistan on Thursday said that it was “actively and constructively engaged” with all stakeholders in the region and beyond to peacefully end the Iran war.

In a related development, Dar announced Iran agreed to allow 20 more ships under the Pakistani flag to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

“I am pleased to share the great news that the Government of Iran has agreed to allow 20 more ships under the Pakistani flag to pass through the Strait of Hormuz; two ships will cross the Strait daily,” he said.

Putindbutt:
That shameless orange clown in the white house could go behind to buy oil from Pak. He's that shameless.

ResidentSnitch:
Truly, this war no favour US at all. Trump is just posturing and grandstanding but right within him, he must be regretting the very day he allowed Israel to coerce him into this needles war that has exposed his behind.
Even small shikini drop of Iranian oil em never see.

Putindbutt:
That shameless orange clown in the white house could go behind to buy oil from Pak. He's that shameless.

Putindbutt:
That shameless orange clown in the white house could go behind to buy oil from Pak. He's that shameless.

Putindbutt:
Omorr, I fear Pakistan.. how the dropped barrage of missiles on India and Afghanistan respectively during a short stint of confrontations. Bro, Pakistan's military strength is underrated.

You hardly hear them make the news, dem no dey follow anybody dey find trouble. No just carry your trouble enter their doormot because na there dem go change am for you.

It has to take Islamabad to volunteer to broker for peace. Meanwhile "Trump and his Board of Peace" have been utterly useless. The irony is that Trump is more interested in wars than peace. He's never going to lay his filthy hands on the Nobel peace prize.

The Islamic countries are actually proponents of peace, lots of people who are not a student of history do not actually know it was the US that raised an army of terrorists/ISIS to perpetrate the fall of the Soviet Union. The US created the world's catastrophe.

ResidentSnitch:
Truly, this war no favour US at all. Trump is just posturing and grandstanding but right within him, he must be regretting the very day he allowed Israel to coerce him into this needles war that has exposed his behind.
Even small shikini drop of Iranian oil em never see.

Cj4charles:
It is high time Trump know that he is not the one in position to call for cease fire because they started the war against Iran.. Pakistan is in a more better position to call for it

NaijaGoBetter2:
Iran should be better off dying on their feet rather than surrendering on their knees. This man cannot be trusted—even in the middle of a ceasefire, he can attack, he killed the Supreme Leader while they were both preparing for negotiation.

Originalsly:
Didn't Trump announced to the world the US was in talks with Iran? ... but when asked exactly who was talking to who he couldn't answer? Iran has made it clear they are not interested in talks and even if they will sit down...it will not be with Kushner and Wickoff. Trump has his 15 point conditions ....Iran has its own conditions. Iran wants US bases out of the region as one condition ....and gave the US 30 days to meet their conditions. It seems like the US is already blinking since Trump is up to last night proclaiming he won the war and it will end very soon. He's desperately looking for a graceful way out .... not wanting to be seen as the loser.

floss:
I didn’t see you condemn the actions of your pseudo government agents against the people of jos but if the US take out one Iranian terrorist, you’ll start foaming and showing your gullibility online

Obaofaba:
That is what Trump has been praying for.

He want an escape route from Iran.

Pakistan is offering him a soft landing.

America will remain a once disgraced country.

Thank you for your attention to this matter 😊.