Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt Strengthen Diplomatic Efforts to End US-Iran War
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced on Sunday that Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt engaged in discussions aimed at finding “possible ways to bring an early and permanent end to the war” in the Middle East. The joint talks took place in Islamabad, focusing on de-escalation efforts regarding the ongoing US-Iran conflict.
Diplomatic Engagement in Islamabad
In a video statement, Dar emphasized that all participating nations expressed confidence in Pakistan’s role as a facilitator. He noted that China “fully supports” the initiative to potentially host US-Iran talks in Islamabad. Following the discussions, Dar described his bilateral meetings with the foreign ministers of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt as “very productive.” The ministers, including Turkey’s Hakan Fidan, Saudi Arabia’s Faisal Bin Farhan, and Egypt’s Badr Abdelatty, also met with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.
Dar highlighted that the purpose of this visit was to participate in the second round of consultations among the four nations, following their first meeting in Riyadh on March 19, 2026. He shared that the foreign ministers engaged in detailed discussions about the current regional situation and explored avenues to bring about a permanent resolution to the conflict.
Concerns Over Regional Impact
During the meeting, the foreign ministers expressed their concerns regarding the ongoing conflict, describing it as “extremely unfortunate” due to its devastating impact on lives and livelihoods across the region. Dar stated, “We agreed that this war is not in favour of anyone and would only lead to death and destruction; the unity of the Muslim ummah in these challenging times is of utmost importance.”
He further briefed the dignitaries on the prospects of potential US-Iran talks in Islamabad, with the visiting foreign ministers expressing their full support for this initiative. They reaffirmed their commitment to containing the situation, reducing military escalation risks, and creating conditions conducive to structured negotiations among the relevant parties.
Upholding International Principles
Dar reiterated the importance of upholding the principles of the UN Charter, emphasizing respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations. After the meeting, he expressed gratitude for the presence of the foreign ministers, highlighting the strong fraternal ties among the countries involved. He noted that their discussions focused on the evolving regional situation and the need for advancing peace and stability.
Egypt’s Badr Abdelatty and Turkey’s Hakan Fidan arrived in Islamabad on Saturday night, while Saudi Arabia’s Faisal Bin Farhan arrived on Sunday afternoon. Security measures were heightened in Islamabad, with several roads leading to the Red Zone, where key government buildings and diplomatic missions are located, sealed off. The foreign ministry’s driveway was adorned with the flags of all four nations.
Bilateral Talks and Military Engagement
Prior to the quadrilateral meeting, Dar held separate bilateral talks with his counterparts. Fidan and Abdelatty also met with Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir. Abdelatty indicated that the meetings aimed to establish a “direct dialogue” between the US and Iran, which have primarily communicated through intermediaries during the ongoing conflict.
The Pakistani government has positioned itself as a key facilitator between Iran and the United States amid the ongoing war, acting as an intermediary for communications between the two sides.
Developments in Maritime Traffic
In related developments, Dar announced that Iran had permitted 20 additional Pakistani-flagged vessels to transit through the Strait of Hormuz, allowing two ships to pass daily. He characterized this decision as a “welcome and constructive gesture” by Iran, which he believes will contribute to regional stability. He stated, “This positive announcement marks a meaningful step toward peace and will strengthen our collective efforts in that direction.”
Dar emphasized that “dialogue, diplomacy, and such confidence-building measures are the only way forward.” He tagged key officials, including US Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in a post regarding these developments.
The ongoing conflict has led to a global fuel crisis, exacerbated by disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical corridor for liquefied natural gas and seaborne oil. Earlier, Iran had allowed two Pakistani cargo ships to transit through the Strait, marking a significant development in maritime relations amid the conflict.
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif recently spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, updating him on Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach efforts to facilitate peace talks between Washington and Tehran.
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Published on 2026-03-29 21:44:00 • By Editorial Desk
