Islamabad hosts foreign ministers of major Muslim powers, participants agree protracted war serves no one Beijing, UN weigh heavily
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan marked a major diplomatic breakthrough on Sunday, with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar announcing that Islamabad could host high-stakes talks between Iran and the United States “in the coming days”, amid intensifying efforts to defuse a rapidly deteriorating regional security situation.
This announcement comes at the end of the second round of quadrilateral consultations involving the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt, held in Islamabad. This was part of a coordinated action by major Muslim countries to end the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
“I briefed the visiting foreign ministers on the prospects of possible negotiations between the United States and Iran in Islamabad. The visiting foreign ministers expressed their full support for this initiative,” Dar said in a televised statement after the four-way talks.
“Pakistan will be honored to host and facilitate meaningful talks between the two sides…for a comprehensive and lasting settlement,” Dar said, adding that Tehran and Washington had expressed confidence in Islamabad’s role as a neutral facilitator.
The development marks an important diplomatic moment for Pakistan, which in recent weeks has quietly positioned itself as a key intermediary between the United States and Iran.
Islamabad had already played a behind-the-scenes role in conveying to Tehran a 15-point US proposal, a move seen as laying the groundwork for possible direct engagement.
The Islamabad meeting was attended by foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt at the invitation of Pakistan, following the inaugural session held in Riyadh earlier this month.
Dar said the four countries held “very detailed and in-depth discussions” on the evolving regional situation and explored avenues to ensure a speedy and permanent end to the war.
The ministers expressed deep concern at the “devastating impact on lives and livelihoods” caused by the ongoing conflict, warning that continued hostilities would only lead to further destruction.
“There has been a clear consensus that this war does not benefit anyone,” Dar noted, emphasizing the urgency of collective diplomatic efforts.
Participants also highlighted the importance of unity within the Muslim world in times of crisis, deeming it essential to respond effectively to emerging challenges.
One of the highlights of the consultations was the strong support of Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt for Pakistan’s initiative to facilitate negotiations between Iran and the United States.
Dar briefed his counterparts on the prospects of such engagement in Islamabad. All three countries have expressed full support for the effort, a development that lends broader regional legitimacy to Pakistan’s mediation role.
The four foreign ministers also agreed on the need to contain the situation, reduce the risks of further military escalation and create conditions conducive to structured negotiations.
They stressed that dialogue and diplomacy remained the only viable path, while calling for respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter, including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts have also received support from key international stakeholders. Dar revealed that China extended full support to Islamabad’s initiative following his telephonic conversation with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Similarly, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has supported Pakistan’s peace efforts.
Furthermore, Dar said he had several conversations with foreign ministers of various countries, all of whom expressed confidence in Pakistan’s role and pledged support for its mediation efforts.
“All our friends greatly appreciate the efforts made by Pakistan,” he said. This latest move reflects Islamabad’s broader strategy of proactive diplomacy in response to the regional crisis.
Pakistan has maintained close engagement with regional and global actors, including the United States, in a bid to prevent further escalation.
Officials say Islamabad’s unique position – maintaining a working relationship with Washington while maintaining close ties with Tehran – has allowed it to act as a credible interlocutor.
Besides crisis diplomacy, the quadrilateral meeting also focused on strengthening cooperation between the four countries in multiple areas.
Ministers discussed ways to deepen coordination and build a more structured collaboration framework, signaling that the group could evolve into a more permanent consultative mechanism.
Although Dar’s announcement sparked cautious optimism, diplomatic sources acknowledge that significant challenges remain.
The success of any Iran-U.S. engagement will depend on overcoming deep-seated distrust and resolving the contentious issues that have long defined relations between the two adversaries.
Nonetheless, Pakistan’s emergence as a potential venue for negotiations reflects a rare moment of diplomatic convergence and a test of its ability to translate facilitation into tangible results.
As the region braces for further uncertainties, all eyes are now on Islamabad, where progress, however timid, could reshape the trajectory of the conflict.
