Pakistan PM says Islamabad 'ready' to host talks to end Mideast war

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Tuesday that Pakistan is ready and “honored” to host potential talks between the United States and Iran to resolve the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

On X, Sharif said Pakistan “welcomes and fully supports ongoing efforts to pursue dialogue to end the war in the Middle East, in the interest of peace and stability in the region and beyond.”

He added that, “subject to concurrence by the U.S. and Iran, Pakistan stands ready and honored to be the host to facilitate meaningful and conclusive talks for a comprehensive settlement of the ongoing conflict.”

Islamabad emphasizes discretion in diplomacy

Earlier Tuesday, Pakistan’s Foreign Office issued its first response to media reports suggesting Islamabad could host the talks, emphasizing the need for discretion. FO spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said the country is engaged in diplomatic efforts but stressed that “such sensitive engagements require confidentiality.”

“Pakistan, consistent with its longstanding policy, remains committed to the resolution of ongoing conflict in the Middle East/Persian Gulf through diplomatic means and engagements,” Andrabi said. He urged the media to “refrain from speculation and to await official announcements regarding decisions and outcomes.”

The announcement comes amid heightened regional tensions and speculation about backchannel diplomacy. Pakistan has historically played a facilitative role in promoting dialogue among key international stakeholders.

Pakistan engages with US, Iran, and regional players

A day earlier, Financial Times reported that Pakistan is positioning itself as a key intermediary, leveraging its ties with Tehran and its working relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump. The report said Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, spoke with Trump on Sunday, while Sharif held discussions with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday.

Trump had previously threatened strikes on Iran’s power infrastructure but delayed them by five days, calling recent discussions with Tehran “very good and productive.” The White House declined to provide further details, saying, “These are sensitive diplomatic discussions and the United States will not negotiate through the news media.”

Other regional players are also engaged. Turkey has maintained contacts with Iranian officials and Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff. Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, while Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty spoke with Iranian and Pakistani counterparts, as well as Witkoff and Qatar’s foreign minister.

Tehran denies direct negotiations

Tehran, however, denied direct talks. AFP reported that messages were received through “friendly countries” indicating a U.S. request for negotiations, but Iranian officials denied any engagement since the start of the conflict. Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei, cited by IRNA, said, “Over the past few days, messages were received through some friendly countries indicating a US request for negotiations aimed at ending the war,” but he “denied any negotiations or talks with the United States during the past 24 days of the imposed war.”

Analysts say mediation efforts are still at an early stage, with contacts largely limited to preliminary message exchanges rather than structured negotiations. Senior Pakistani officials have acted as intermediaries between Tehran and Washington, including U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Sharif has held multiple calls with Pezeshkian since the conflict began.

In a Monday readout, Pakistan said the prime minister assured the Iranian leadership that Islamabad “would continue to play a constructive role in facilitating peace.” Last week, Foreign Minister Dar told Arab counterparts in Riyadh that Pakistan was engaged in mediation, though he provided no further details. Diplomats say Pakistan is now taking a leading role in these backchannel efforts.