Islamabad says it will facilitate negotiations between Washington and Tehran as the conflict widens, with continued strikes, rising casualties and threats to global energy routes.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Pakistan announced Sunday that it plans to host discussions between the United States and Iran, positioning itself as a mediator in the ongoing regional conflict, though officials did not clarify whether the talks would be direct or conducted through intermediaries.
Ishaq Dar said the proposal followed consultations in Islamabad with senior diplomats from Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. “Pakistan is very happy that both Iran and the U.S. have expressed their confidence in Pakistan to facilitate the talks. Pakistan will be honored to host and facilitate meaningful talks between the two sides in the coming days,” he said after the meeting, adding that further discussions among regional officials are expected.
Officials in United States and Iran have not publicly confirmed participation, and Pakistan’s foreign ministry did not provide additional details. Pakistani authorities indicated the initiative follows weeks of behind-the-scenes diplomatic engagement, with Islamabad leveraging ties to both governments.
However, senior Iranian figures have publicly cast doubt on the effort. Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf dismissed the proposed talks, describing them as a distraction as U.S. forces deploy in the region. He warned that Iranian forces were “waiting for the arrival of American troops on the ground to set them on fire and punish their regional partners forever,” according to state media.
The announcement comes amid escalating military activity. In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli forces would expand operations in southern Lebanon, targeting the Iran-backed group Hezbollah and widening what he described as an existing security zone. No operational details were released.
The conflict, which began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, has spread across multiple fronts and is affecting global markets. Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted shipping and contributed to volatility in oil and gas prices. Additional concerns have emerged over the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, where Iranian-aligned Houthi forces could threaten maritime traffic.
Civilian conditions inside Iran continue to deteriorate. Residents reported additional strikes in Tehran, while authorities said attacks on energy infrastructure led to power outages in Tehran and Alborz provinces. “We don’t know at what moment our homes could be targeted,” said Razzak Saghir al-Mousawi, 71. “I am definitely afraid.”
Egypt’s top diplomat, Badr Abdelatty, said the discussions in Islamabad are intended to open a “direct dialogue” between Washington and Tehran, which have largely communicated through intermediaries during past negotiations.
Iran has rejected a U.S.-backed framework for a potential settlement and continues to oppose negotiations conducted under military pressure. State media reported that Tehran has instead drafted its own proposal, which includes demands for an end to targeted killings, guarantees against future attacks, compensation, and recognition of Iran’s authority over the Strait of Hormuz.
Despite tensions, Iran signaled limited cooperation on maritime activity, allowing additional Pakistani-flagged vessels to transit the strait. Asif Durrani said the move “sends a clear signal that Iran remains open for business with the world, provided the United States abandons coercion.”
Regional leaders have called for broader guarantees in any potential agreement. Anwar Gargash said a settlement must include assurances preventing future attacks on neighboring states and called for compensation related to damage to civilian infrastructure.
The conflict has also expanded into new areas of escalation, including threats against academic institutions. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard warned that Israeli and U.S.-linked universities in the region could be considered “legitimate targets” unless assurances are provided for Iranian institutions following reported strikes on universities in Iran.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said dozens of research centers and universities, including the Iran University of Science and Technology and Isfahan University of Technology, had been struck.
Casualties continue to mount across multiple countries. Iranian authorities report more than 1,900 deaths, while officials in Israel say 19 people have been killed. In Lebanon, more than 1,200 people have died, and additional casualties have been reported in Iraq, Gulf states and the West Bank. Thirteen U.S. service members have also been killed since the conflict began.
As diplomatic efforts emerge alongside continued military operations, the proposed talks in Pakistan represent a potential opening for negotiations, though uncertainty remains over participation and timing.
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