— Over hour-long call with Iranian President signals intensified efforts to defuse regional crisis
— Islamabad coordinates with Türkiye and Egypt to create pathway for Washington-Tehran dialogue
— Pakistan relays US proposals to Iran as indirect negotiations quietly gain momentum
— PM reaffirms solidarity with Iran amid Israeli strikes, seeks unified regional response
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday briefed Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic push to facilitate peace talks between the United States and Iran during a phone call that lasted over an hour.
The conversation comes as Pakistan assumes a central role in mediating the escalating crisis, working closely with regional partners Turkey and Egypt to ease tensions between Washington and Tehran.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the two leaders held extensive discussions on the evolving regional situation and efforts aimed at restoring peace.
During the call, PM Shehbaz outlined Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach led by himself, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir. These efforts, he said, involve engagement with the United States, Gulf nations, and other Islamic countries to help create a conducive environment for dialogue.
He also highlighted the strong international backing Pakistan’s peace initiative has received, expressing optimism that a collective approach could pave the way for ending hostilities.
The prime minister reiterated Pakistan’s condemnation of ongoing Israeli attacks on Iran, particularly recent strikes targeting civilian infrastructure. He reaffirmed Islamabad’s solidarity with the Iranian people and offered condolences over the loss of more than 1,900 lives while praying for the recovery of the injured and displaced.
President Pezeshkian, in response, appreciated Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement and emphasised the importance of trust-building to advance mediation efforts. He commended Islamabad’s constructive role in promoting peace amid the crisis.
PM Shehbaz thanked the Iranian leader and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to continuing its efforts for regional stability.
Separately, the Iranian presidency also acknowledged Pakistan’s mediation role, with President Pezeshkian expressing gratitude for Islamabad’s efforts to halt aggression against Iran.
Meanwhile, Pakistan is set to host foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt on March 29–30 for detailed discussions on reducing tensions stemming from the ongoing US-Israeli conflict with Iran.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed that indirect communication between the United States and Iran is underway through messages relayed by Pakistan. He revealed that a 15-point framework proposed by Washington is currently under consideration in Tehran, with support from Turkey and Egypt to advance the process.
