ISLAMABAD — Pakistan is hosting regional diplomats in its capital for talks aimed at de-escalating the month-long conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran, as Islamabad positions itself as a mediator between Washington and Tehran.
Foreign ministers and senior officials from Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey arrived in Islamabad on Sunday and Monday for discussions convened by Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. The meetings focus on pathways to a ceasefire and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil shipments that has seen sharply reduced traffic since Iranian retaliatory actions began in early March.
Pakistan has relayed messages between the U.S. and Iran, including a 15-point U.S. ceasefire proposal, according to officials in Islamabad. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has held telephone conversations with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, while Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir has engaged with U.S. officials. Sharif described Pakistan as ready to facilitate direct or indirect talks between the parties.
The conflict started on Feb. 28 with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian military sites, nuclear facilities, air defenses and senior leadership. Iran responded with missile launches and actions affecting shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The fighting has extended to southern Lebanon, where Israeli ground operations against Hezbollah continue, and to Yemen, where Houthi forces launched missiles toward Israel in recent days.
Pakistan maintains diplomatic relations with both the United States and Iran, as well as close ties with Gulf states. Officials have described their role as helping to create conditions for negotiations while protecting regional stability. Iran has rejected parts of the U.S. proposal and issued counter-demands, while expressing the need for trust to advance talks. Preliminary reports indicate hundreds of casualties across the region from airstrikes and related violence.
Pakistan secured an agreement with Iran allowing 20 Pakistani-flagged vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz, with two ships crossing daily, according to Foreign Minister Dar. The arrangement was presented as a step toward easing disruptions in energy markets.
As of Monday, the diplomatic meetings in Islamabad continued with no immediate announcement of a breakthrough. U.S. forces, including thousands of additional Marines, remain deployed in the Middle East, and military operations persist on multiple fronts. Pakistani officials stated that further rounds of talks could involve senior U.S. and Iranian representatives if conditions allow.
