Pakistan signals readiness to facilitate US-Iran talks after regional diplomatic meeting

Pakistan hosted the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt this week for high-level consultations aimed at addressing the escalating conflict in the Middle East and promoting regional stability.

The visiting dignitaries departed Islamabad on Sunday after a series of productive bilateral and quadrilateral discussions.

The meetings focused on strategic coordination, diplomatic engagement, and exploring pathways to de-escalate the ongoing hostilities.

According to Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, the discussions were “detailed and in-depth,” emphasizing the humanitarian and economic consequences of continued conflict.

Dar announced that Pakistan has formally offered to host talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad, positioning itself as a neutral venue to facilitate dialogue. The initiative was fully supported by the visiting ministers, who described it as a constructive step toward ending hostilities and fostering negotiations.

The consultations marked the second round of quadrilateral meetings, following an initial session in Riyadh on March 19. Participants reiterated the importance of unity among Muslim countries and underscored that diplomacy remains the only viable path to resolve the crisis. They agreed to work collectively to reduce the risk of further escalation and to establish conditions conducive to structured negotiations.

In addition to conflict-related discussions, the ministers explored enhancing broader regional cooperation and agreed to form a committee of senior foreign ministry officials to develop a framework for ongoing collaboration.

Dar highlighted Pakistan’s engagement with international partners, noting endorsements from China and the United Nations Secretary-General for Islamabad’s initiative. Several other countries have also expressed confidence in Pakistan’s role as a facilitator, reflecting growing international support for its peace efforts.

Concluding the talks, Dar expressed gratitude to the visiting ministers for their support and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to pursue the initiative with seriousness and determination, calling for continued international backing to achieve a comprehensive and lasting resolution to the conflict.