Pakistan To Host Key US-Iran Mediation Talks; Saudi, Turkish, Egyptian Diplomats To Attend

Pakistan is hosting high-level talks with Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt beginning Sunday, as Islamabad positions itself as a potential venue for negotiations between the United States and Iran amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said the two-day meeting will see the foreign ministers of the four countries hold “in-depth discussions on a range of issues, including efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region,” Reuters reported.

The talks come as the conflict, launched by the United States and Israel on February 28, enters its second month, raising concerns over regional stability, energy supplies and trade routes.

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the meeting aims to establish a mechanism to reduce tensions

and evaluate possible diplomatic pathways.

“We would discuss where the negotiations in this war are heading and how these four countries assess the situation and what can be done,” Fidan told broadcaster A Haber, according to Reuters.

KEY COUNTRIES ATTENDING TALKS

The talks in Islamabad are being attended by the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is leading the diplomatic engagement, while Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is representing Ankara.

According to AFP, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a detailed telephone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian ahead of the meeting as part of diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation.

Sharif said the call lasted over an hour and focused on Pakistan’s outreach to the United States and regional countries to encourage dialogue.

The report mentioned that Sharif described Iran as a “brotherly” country and said Islamabad was working with multiple stakeholders to facilitate negotiations and reduce hostilities.

Pezeshkian, in turn, acknowledged Pakistan’s mediation efforts and thanked Islamabad for its diplomatic engagement.

PAKISTAN EMERGES AS POTENTIAL VENUE FOR US-IRAN TALKS

Pakistan has conveyed to Tehran a US proposal aimed at ending the conflict and has offered to host negotiations between Washington and Iran, Reuters reported.

Iranian officials have indicated that any possible talks could take place either in Pakistan or Turkey.

Iran is reviewing a 15-point proposal presented by the United States, although one Iranian official described the proposal as “one-sided and unfair.”

The reported proposal includes provisions related to Iran’s nuclear programme, missile development and arrangements linked to the Strait of Hormuz, a key global trade route.

Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has also indicated that a direct meeting between the United States and Iran could take place in Pakistan “very soon,” according to AFP.

DIPLOMATIC ENGAGEMENT AMID REGIONAL TENSIONS

According to the Associated Press, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has expressed scepticism about recent diplomatic efforts, accusing Washington of making “unreasonable demands” and adopting “contradictory actions.”

Iran has reportedly presented a five-point alternative framework that includes demands related to reparations and recognition of its sovereignty over the strategic waterway.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Iran had allowed 20 additional ships under the Pakistani flag to transit through the Strait of Hormuz, describing the move as a confidence-building measure aimed at supporting trade continuity.

The diplomatic push comes alongside heightened military activity in the region.

The Associated Press reported that US naval assets carrying around 2,500 Marines trained in amphibious operations have been deployed, along with approximately 1,000 paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington believes it can achieve its objectives without deploying ground troops.

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