Pakistan offers to host Iran-US talks

ISLAMABAD:

In a potentially game-changing diplomatic signal, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday publicly offered Pakistan as a venue for U.S.-Iran peace talks, an offer that received extraordinary momentum when President Donald Trump reposted it on his Truth Social platform, a move widely seen in Islamabad as Washington’s tacit endorsement of Pakistan’s emerging role as mediator.

“Pakistan welcomes and fully supports the ongoing efforts to continue dialogue to end the war in the Middle East…Pakistan is ready and honored to be the host to facilitate meaningful and conclusive talks,” the prime minister wrote on

Trump’s unprecedented rebroadcast has injected new momentum into Pakistan’s bid for mediation, suggesting that the idea of ​​Islamabad as a neutral venue for high-stakes negotiations is gaining traction at the highest levels in Washington.

The Prime Minister’s official offer, after much media speculation, is believed to be a carefully orchestrated decision by all stakeholders.

Iran has publicly denied reports of negotiations with the United States, but sources said it could be for domestic consumption only.

Sources in Islamabad said the ongoing de-escalation efforts were the most serious since the conflict began on February 28.

The choice of Pakistan as lead mediator stems from its unique role. Islamabad has cultivated close ties with the Trump administration while maintaining deep ties to Iran. Similarly, the Gulf countries also trust Pakistan, which puts it in a position where it can help broker a deal.

Pakistan also, for the first time, publicly acknowledged its role in de-escalation efforts, while calling for restraint in public discourse on sensitive diplomatic initiatives.

In an exclusive conversation with The Express PK Press Club on Tuesday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi confirmed that Islamabad was actively pursuing diplomatic channels to help end the conflict, while cautioning that such efforts require discretion.

“Pakistan, in line with its long-standing policy, remains committed to resolving the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf through diplomatic means and engagements,” Andrabi said.

However, he stressed the need to respect confidentiality. “Diplomacy and negotiations often require that certain issues be advanced with discretion,” he noted, calling on the media to avoid speculation and wait for official announcements.

Some reports claim that the American delegation has already arrived in Islamabad for negotiations, but there has been no official confirmation.

Pakistan’s calibrated public message comes as Pakistan quietly positions itself at the center of growing diplomatic activity aimed at stopping the escalating confrontation between the United States and Iran. US media and officials familiar with the development suggest that Islamabad is being seen as a venue for talks between Tehran and Washington.

The diplomatic opening follows President Trump’s announcement of a temporary cessation of hostilities, citing “constructive engagement” with Iran. Subsequently, countries like Turkey and Egypt joined hands with Pakistan to facilitate indirect communication between the two adversaries.

According to Axios, possible negotiations could involve a US delegation, including special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, alongside senior Iranian leaders. Tehran has publicly denied any plans for negotiations, but diplomatic sources point to an intensification of indirect activities suggesting otherwise.

Over the past 24 hours, Pakistan’s civilian and military leaders have remained deeply engaged. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, reaffirming solidarity with Iran while calling for restraint and dialogue.

An official statement said the prime minister conveyed greetings on Eidul Fitr and Nowruz, expressed condolences for the loss of lives and warned of the “dangerous” trajectory of the conflict. He highlighted the urgent need for collective diplomatic efforts and stressed that unity within the Muslim Ummah was “more critical than ever.”

At the same time, Pakistan’s military leadership also engaged Washington. A Financial Times report states that Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir held a conversation with President Trump to discuss the developing situation.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar conducted parallel outreach activities, speaking to his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, with all parties agreeing to maintain close coordination.

These parallel engagements, also involving Turkey and Egypt, suggest a coordinated – if still nascent – ​​mediation effort largely focused on backdoor diplomacy rather than formal negotiations.

Although Islamabad has not officially confirmed hosting the talks, diplomatic sources say the option remains on the table, particularly in light of Trump’s public signal of support.

Analysts warn that despite the intense activity, a breakthrough remains uncertain given the deep distrust between Washington and Tehran and the rapidly evolving situation on the battlefield.

Nonetheless, Pakistan’s proactive diplomacy highlights its attempt to serve as a bridge, balancing solidarity with Iran as a neighbor while maintaining strategic ties with the United States and key Gulf partners.

Officials say that if these efforts translate into formal negotiations, it could mark a significant diplomatic breakthrough for Islamabad, potentially reshaping its role on the world stage.