ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has indicated its willingness to host direct negotiations between the United States and Iran in the near future, as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar wrapped up a four-country meeting focused on promoting “dialogue and diplomacy” to ease tensions in the Gulf.
“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,” Mr Dar said at the conclusion of the consultations in Islamabad, ahead of his planned visit to Beijing for further discussions on potential Iran-US engagement.
The meeting included foreign ministers from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Egypt, representing a joint regional initiative to reduce tensions in a conflict that has now entered its first month, raising concerns about broader regional instability and disruptions to global energy supplies.
This quadrilateral framework, first initiated in Riyadh earlier this month, is being described by officials as the most coordinated regional attempt so far to steer the situation toward diplomacy.
In addition to Mr Dar, participants included Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, Turkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty.
Backing for Iran Dialogue
During their discussions, the ministers voiced concern over the “devastating impact on lives and livelihood” and agreed that the war “is not in favour of anyone and would only lead to death and destruction,” according to Mr Dar.
They reiterated the urgency of ending hostilities, emphasized solidarity among Muslim nations, and supported efforts to create favorable conditions for structured negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
Mr Dar noted that he had briefed his counterparts on the possibility of US-Iran talks taking place in Islamabad, adding that the visiting ministers showed “full support” for the proposal.
However, a senior diplomatic source indicated that direct talks between the US and Iran are not yet confirmed and remain dependent on developments on the ground. The ongoing conflict continues to influence the timing and feasibility of negotiations, with communication between the two sides largely limited to indirect exchanges.
China’s Role
Pakistan’s diplomatic initiative has received broad international backing, particularly from China, which has supported Islamabad’s efforts and encouraged Iran to engage in dialogue. Mr Dar, who recently spoke with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, is scheduled to visit Beijing on March 31 for further consultations.
According to diplomatic sources, the visit aims to build on recent discussions and explore joint efforts by Beijing and Islamabad to facilitate US-Iran dialogue. It also suggests that a previously speculated meeting between the US and Iran may not occur as soon as Tuesday.
Securing Navigation Through Strait of Hormuz
A major focus of the Islamabad meeting was on de-escalation strategies, including proposals to ensure safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global trade route.
Officials highlighted that maintaining secure shipping passage could serve as a confidence-building measure for broader negotiations.
Mr Dar had earlier announced that Iran agreed to allow 20 additional Pakistan-flagged vessels to pass through the waterway.
The four countries also agreed to form a committee of senior officials to outline mechanisms for continued coordination.
Engagements on the Margins
On the sidelines of the meeting, Mr Dar held separate bilateral discussions with his Turkish, Saudi, and Egyptian counterparts to align strategies and advance diplomatic efforts.
The visiting ministers also met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who underscored the urgency of collective action to end hostilities and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to facilitating dialogue between the US and Iran.
Prime Minister Shehbaz stressed the need for unity among Islamic nations and discussed measures to stabilize maritime routes and enhance regional security.
The ministers shared their respective national perspectives and briefed the prime minister on their ongoing diplomatic engagements.
While no definitive timeline has been set for direct talks, officials believe that growing regional and international support has created a limited but meaningful opportunity for progress.
Mr Dar stated that both Washington and Tehran have shown confidence in Pakistan’s role, despite the volatile situation.
“The unity of Muslim Ummah in these challenging times is of utmost importance,” he said, reaffirming that dialogue and diplomacy remain “the only viable pathway” to peace.
