Pakistan is all set to host the key mediation talks focused on the US-Israel-Iran war. The West Asia crisis began on February 28 after the US and Israel carried
out joint strikes on Iran, under 'Operation Epic Fury' and 'Operation Roaring Lion', killing the country's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran retaliated with attacks on US and non-US targets across the Gulf region. Pakistan is set to host the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkiye for discussions on a wide-range of issues, including efforts to de-escalate tensions in West Asia. At the invitation of Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Saudi Arabia Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Turkiye Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, will be in Islamabad on Sunday and Monday, the country's Foreign Office said. The visiting leaders will also meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan arrived in Islamabad on Saturday.
During the visit, the foreign ministers will hold "in-depth discussions on a range of issues, including efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region", it added.
It added that Pakistan "highly values its relations with the brotherly countries of Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Egypt, and the visit will provide an opportunity to further strengthen Pakistan's cooperation and coordination with these countries".
US President Donald Trump's administration offered a 15-point plan for a possible ceasefire to Iran. Initially, Iran had denied that negotiations are taking place. Meanwhile, intermediaries confirmed relaying messages between Washington and Tehran.
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As the two countries negotiate a probable ceasefire, the Iranian chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz has sent fuel prices skyrocketing and roiled the world economy. Tehran on Friday, however, said it agreed to facilitate humanitarian aid and agricultural shipments through the crucial waterway.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday told leaders at an all-party meeting that India does not view itself as a “dalaal” (broker) like Pakistan, according to sources quoted by PTI.
"There is nothing new in Pakistan's mediation efforts in the matter, as that country has been 'used' by the US since 1981," PTI sources quoted S. Jaishankar as saying. "We are not a dalaal nation," he reportedly told attendees at the meeting held at the Parliament complex to discuss the ongoing Middle East crisis.
