Iran’s foreign minister has expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach in the region, signaling that engagement with Islamabad remains under consideration as efforts to ease tensions continue.
Abbas Araghchi said Tehran has not ruled out talks facilitated by Pakistan, emphasizing that dialogue in Islamabad has “never been off the table,” according to officials familiar with the matter.
He also pushed back against what he described as mischaracterizations in U.S. media, saying Iran’s position has been inaccurately portrayed. Araghchi stressed that Tehran’s priority is securing clear and durable terms to end what it calls an imposed conflict, while maintaining a tone of cautious diplomacy.
Pakistan welcomes clarification
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar welcomed the remarks, describing them as a positive step toward reducing ambiguity surrounding ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Islamabad has in recent weeks positioned itself as a potential facilitator for dialogue involving regional and global stakeholders, amid a widening conflict that has disrupted trade routes and heightened geopolitical tensions.
FO rejects “baseless” reports
Separately, Pakistan’s Foreign Office strongly rejected media reports suggesting unnamed official sources had disclosed details about mediation efforts.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said such claims were “baseless and a figment of imagination,” adding that no such information had been shared through official channels.
He said a recent briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had been misrepresented, with references to issues “neither discussed nor alluded to.”
“At a time of heightened regional sensitivity, diplomacy requires both discretion and responsibility,” Andrabi said, urging media outlets to rely on verified official statements.
Pakistan’s evolving diplomatic role
Pakistan has stepped up engagement with multiple countries in recent weeks, seeking to create conditions for dialogue between Iran and the United States, officials say.
The Foreign Office has said both Tehran and Washington have expressed confidence in Islamabad’s facilitation efforts, as the country works to promote de-escalation and a negotiated settlement.
WSJ report
The remarks and clarifications come against the backdrop of a report by The Wall Street Journal highlighting challenges facing mediation efforts.
The report said recent attempts by mediators, including Pakistan, to broker a cease-fire have hit a dead end, reflecting gaps between Iran and the United States and difficulties arranging direct talks, which both Pakistan and Iran denied.
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