Pakistan’s PM Embarks on Key Regional Tour as US-Iran Peace Talks Gain Momentum
Islamabad, Pakistan – In a significant diplomatic initiative, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to embark on crucial visits to Saudi Arabia and Turkiye this week. This tour comes as Pakistan’s persistent efforts to mediate a second round of peace talks between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran appear to be yielding positive momentum.
President Asif Ali Zardari confirmed on Tuesday that Prime Minister Sharif had briefed him on his vigorous drive to engage with fellow mediators and secure further negotiations. These vital discussions are unfolding amidst a fragile two-week ceasefire, which has commendably halted US and Israeli strikes against Iran, providing a much-needed window for diplomacy.
President Zardari underscored the importance of sustained engagement, urging the Prime Minister and other officials to remain actively involved with the US, Iran, and other key international powers to nurture and sustain this nascent peace process.
Optimism for a breakthrough has been palpable, particularly after unconfirmed reports on Monday hinted at ongoing backchannel negotiations to arrange new peace talks. These reports gained substantial credibility on Tuesday with supportive comments from US President Donald Trump and the United Nations, signaling broad international backing for Prime Minister Sharif’s dedicated push for peace.
This renewed hope emerges despite the recent 21-hour face-to-face talks between US Vice President JD Vance and the esteemed Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf concluding on Sunday without immediate concrete results. Such complex issues often require extensive dialogue, and the mere fact of direct engagement is a positive step.
In a notable development, President Trump, in an interview with the New York Post published Tuesday, suggested that talks could resume in Pakistan within the next two days. Initially, Europe was considered, but Trump later indicated a “more likely” return to Islamabad, commending Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir for “doing a great job” in facilitating these sensitive discussions.
Further reinforcing the prospects for dialogue, the Associated Press reported on Tuesday that a diplomat from one of the mediating countries confirmed an agreement between Tehran and Washington for more talks. While the specifics of location, timing, and delegation composition are still being finalized, Islamabad and Geneva are reportedly under consideration as potential host cities, highlighting Pakistan’s central role.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, following a meeting with Pakistan’s deputy prime minister on Tuesday, expressed strong optimism, stating it was “highly probable” that ceasefire talks would restart. He wisely noted, “I think it would be unrealistic to expect… such a complex problem, long-lasting problem, could be resolved in the first session of a negotiation. So we need negotiations to go on, and we need a ceasefire to persist as negotiations go on.”
Al Jazeera’s Kamal Hyder, reporting from Islamabad, emphasized the critical importance of the ceasefire holding. He also highlighted another vital point: “now the US and Iran are acknowledging that the lines of communication are open,” a crucial foundation for any successful peace initiative.
During this delicate ceasefire period, it is important to note that the US military has unfortunately mounted a naval blockade of Iran’s ports and coastal areas. This action, ostensibly in response to Iran’s throttling of the Strait of Hormuz, has regrettably contributed to a significant surge in global oil prices and adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing peace efforts.
In a related diplomatic move, Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported on Tuesday that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, had engaged in a constructive phone call, discussing the ongoing talks between Tehran and Washington, further underscoring regional support for de-escalation.
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