Pakistan hosts Iran talks amid delicate diplomatic balancing act

Foreign Ministers from Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt Meet in Islamabad to Address US-Israeli Conflict with Iran

In a bid to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East, foreign ministers from Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt have convened in Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital. The meeting brings together Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, who will discuss ways to reduce conflict with Iran.

The gathering follows a phone call between Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi. During the conversation, Dar briefed Araghchi on efforts by four nations – Pakistan, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt – to achieve an immediate halt to the war. The meeting is seen as a confidence-building measure after the ministers’ call.

As part of this effort, Islamabad announced that Tehran has agreed to allow 20 Pakistani-flagged ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz at a rate of two per day. This move aims to demonstrate progress in opening the strait, which has been closed since Iran’s chokehold on it began.

The regional powers are also seeking to address the global energy crisis caused by the conflict. US President Donald Trump has extended his deadline for Iran to reopen the strait, while Tehran has presented its own conditions for a ceasefire. The situation remains complex, with Pakistan walking a diplomatic tightrope due to its close ties with Saudi Arabia and cultural connections with Iran.

The meeting is seen as an initial step towards building a regional bloc that could potentially bring together broader powers, including Indonesia and Malaysia. However, the details of this proposal remain unclear at this stage.

Source: Al Jazeera