Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has said that the latest round of US-Iran negotiations in Switzerland could have begun earlier but were delayed by Israel’s military actions in Lebanon.
In an interview with Al Arabiya recorded before the talks commenced, Dar said, “The parlays starting in Switzerland could have started a few days earlier, but Israel’s attacks on Lebanon derailed and stopped everything.”
Reflecting on Pakistan’s diplomatic role since the conflict began on February 28, Dar highlighted the Pakistan-brokered ceasefire and subsequent negotiations held in Islamabad in April.
“Those parlays were the first time direct talks between the US and Iran after 47 years, and Pakistan was asked to be the witness,” DPM Dar said.
He noted that Pakistan remained actively engaged throughout the peace process, which eventually led to the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on June 18.
“You see, during this period, Pakistan has been … very active. Not only were we mediating between the US and Iran, but we were also keeping our allies and friends in the region connected with us,” DPM Dar told Al Arabiya.
According to Dar, a regional diplomatic platform emerged during the process, bringing together Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye while coordinating with Gulf states and international partners.
He described the ongoing negotiations in Burgenstock, Switzerland, as “phase two” of the broader peace effort, explaining that three technical working groups had been established.
“There are three technical groups. One is to deal with the nuclear issue, the second is about sanctions and frozen assets and third is Lebanon,” DPM Dar said.
Discussing Lebanon’s role in the talks, Dar remarked that the issue repeatedly resurfaced during negotiations and nearly disrupted the latest round because of continued Israeli strikes.
He said some matters were expected to be resolved within 30 days, while the broader agreement was intended to be concluded within 60 days, with the possibility of an extension if both sides agreed.
“For certain items, they have 30 days to conclude, but the bulk and overall conclusion of the final deal timeline is 60 days, and this can be mutually extendable,” he said.
Dar argued that the benefits of the peace process were already becoming visible, pointing to lower energy prices and the reopening of shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz.
He stressed that the strategic waterway should return to its pre-conflict status.
“No permits, no toll, no additional charge, whatever you name it; it should be free movement and sea lanes should be freely moving [on] both sides,” Dar said.
Recalling his visit to China in March, he noted that both countries had agreed under a five-point framework that maritime traffic through the strait should remain unrestricted.
“This is the global understanding,” he said, adding that “at least 60 days, there will be free movement” in the waterway.
When asked about assurances regarding Israeli military actions in Lebanon, Dar emphasised the importance of continued mediation efforts.
“The facilitator or mediator’s role is to keep trying and making efforts. There were points where things looked like that won’t be concluded, but we never gave hope [..] independently, there are spoilers who never wanted this deal to happen, and the moment this deal was signed, we saw that there was heavy bombing in Lebanon.”
He concluded by urging the international community to use its influence to persuade Israel to halt attacks in Lebanon and also referenced plans to revive efforts aimed at implementing Gaza’s 21-point peace framework.
