Pakistan Offers to Mediate as Iran-US Tensions Escalate
News Desk
Islamabad: Pakistan has stepped up diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation in the Middle East, offering to facilitate dialogue between Iran and the United States amid a rapidly deteriorating security situation.
Briefing the Senate on Tuesday, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Islamabad had conveyed to Washington that Tehran had agreed not to pursue nuclear weapons, while the United States was demanding the complete dismantling of Iran’s nuclear programme.
Dar revealed details of his meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, saying Pakistan had advocated for recognition of Iran’s right to maintain a peaceful nuclear programme under international law.
The diplomatic push comes amid an expanding regional conflict triggered by Israeli strikes on Iran and retaliatory missile and drone attacks by Tehran targeting what it described as US interests and bases across Gulf states.
During four days of intense hostilities, several senior Iranian leaders were killed, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iranian authorities have vowed retaliation, calling the strikes “unprovoked and unwarranted.”
Read More: https://thepenpk.com/protests-erupt-in-pakistan-after-reported-killing-of-khamenei/
Dar told lawmakers that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir, recently elevated to Field Marshal, played an active role in diplomatic and defence-level engagements aimed at defusing tensions.
According to Dar, Pakistan moved swiftly after the strikes, condemning the attack within minutes and reaching out to regional and international counterparts, including foreign ministers from Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman.
He noted that Oman had earlier indicated progress in backchannel Iran-US negotiations before the outbreak of hostilities.
Emphasising that Iran is a “brotherly and neighbouring country,” Dar said Islamabad had also worked quietly through diplomatic channels to seek a peaceful resolution, adding that Iranian leadership was fully aware of Pakistan’s efforts.
Read More: https://thepenpk.com/analysts-warn-iran-israel-us-conflict-could-impact-pakistan/
At the same time, he underscored that Pakistan does not want to be drawn into the conflict. He confirmed that assurances were conveyed to Tehran that Pakistani territory would not be used against it, a guarantee he said Saudi Arabia also provided.
The foreign minister also briefed the Senate on evacuation efforts. Approximately 35,000 Pakistanis are currently in Iran, with 792 already evacuated via the Taftan-Zahedan border crossing.
While airspace remains closed, road routes are operational, he said.
Describing the regional environment as “highly challenging,” Dar reiterated that Pakistan would continue diplomatic engagement to reduce tensions, stressing that dialogue remained the only viable path forward. Input from Geo News.
