- The 9 p.m. talks reflect the seriousness of both delegations: FO.
- Pakistan continuously maintains contacts with global partners: FO.
- Ceasefire in Lebanon considered vital for regional stability: FO.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday urged the media not to speculate on the timing of the second round of talks between the United States and Iran, saying the timetable for the upcoming talks has not yet been announced.
At a weekly press briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andarabi declined to share details of diplomatic engagements, emphasizing the need for trust and confidentiality. “If we had shared such information, it would have constituted a breach of trust,” he said.
“The important thing is that both sides are willing to engage and that the dialogue continues,” he said, adding that details regarding delegations and participation were secondary and an internal matter for the parties involved.
His remarks came amid reports that U.S. and Iranian negotiating teams could return to Islamabad later this week, five sources said. Reutersdays after the highest-level inaugural talks between the two countries in decades ended without result.
At the same time, US President Donald Trump said on April 14 that negotiations between Washington and Tehran could resume in the next two days and that “we are more inclined to go” to Pakistan. The New York Post.
The previous meeting in Islamabad, held three days after the ceasefire announcement last Wednesday, marked the first direct meeting between U.S. and Iranian officials in more than a decade and the most significant engagement since Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf led their respective delegations in the latest round of negotiations to settle a range of issues, including the Strait of Hormuz, a major transit point for global energy supplies that Iran has effectively blocked but the United States has promised to reopen, as well as Iran’s nuclear program and international sanctions against Tehran.
The trilateral “Islamabad talks” lasted nearly 21 hours after beginning on the afternoon of April 11, reflecting the complexity and high stakes involved.
Despite lengthy discussions, the first round ended without a formal agreement. Islamabad officials, however, view the meeting as an important step in opening direct channels of communication between Washington and Tehran.
Separately, a proposal was shared with Washington and Tehran to send delegations for the resumption of talks, Reuters reported, citing sources, as Islamabad continues to coordinate with both sides on the timetable for the next round, which could take place this weekend.
These developments echo Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s earlier remarks, in which he had noted that although the first round of talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad was inconclusive, Pakistan’s efforts to iron out differences between the two sides continued, with diplomatic channels actively engaged.
Pakistan’s efforts to bring Iran and the United States to the highest-level face-to-face negotiating table in decades to end weeks of war have drawn international praise.
“Neither breakthrough nor rupture”
Speaking to the media today, FO spokesperson Andarabi said negotiations between the United States and Iran were continuing in a “serious and constructive” manner, describing the outcome as neither a “breakthrough nor a rupture.”
“There was no breakthrough or breakdown,” he said, adding that the two delegations engaged in 21 hours of continuous talks, while the overall negotiation process extended beyond 24 hours.
He added that nuclear issues remained among the main topics discussed in the negotiations.
He noted that such prolonged engagement on complex issues reflected the “extraordinary commitment” of both sides. “The seriousness, determination and positive attitude of the participants must be appreciated,” he added, stressing that the leaders of the two countries, as well as the mediating officials, remained present throughout.
Describing the round as “historically significant”, the spokesperson said the role played by the leaders of the three countries deserved to be recognized.
The spokesperson said Pakistan would continue to act as a mediator and facilitator, keeping communication channels open between Tehran and Washington.
“All diplomatic efforts, including the Islamabad talks, are part of an ongoing process,” Andarabi said, stressing that high-level engagements in Tehran and delegation visits were also part of this broader effort.
He added that Pakistan had maintained contact with world leaders through telephone diplomacy ahead of the talks and would continue to engage its international partners.
“Pakistan’s position remains in favor of peace, stability and prosperity,” he said, reiterating that Islamabad takes confidence of its allies and friendly countries while welcoming support from world powers, including Russia.
Highlighting Pakistan’s broader diplomatic reach, he said the country actively participated in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (SCO-RATS) and hosted a meeting of senior officials from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt in Islamabad.
He also confirmed that Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Chief of Defense Force (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir was in Iran for ongoing engagements.
Situation in Lebanon
The spokesperson strongly condemned Israeli attacks in Lebanon, calling for an immediate end to hostilities.
He said the ceasefire in Lebanon was part of the negotiations and was being considered in the broader context of the regional peace process.
“The signs of improvement on the Israeli-Lebanese front over the past two days are encouraging,” he said, adding that de-escalation would help create an environment conducive to dialogue.
“Peace in Lebanon and an end to armed actions are essential,” she noted, stressing that a reduction in tensions could support progress in the negotiations.
The wider conflict in the region began with the US-Israeli strikes against Iran on February 28. Hezbollah opened fire in support of Tehran on March 2, triggering an Israeli offensive that killed more than 2,000 people and forced 1.2 million from their homes, according to Lebanese authorities.
Iran says Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon must be included in any deal to end the Middle East war. Washington hit back, saying there was no connection between the two rounds of negotiations.
