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Diplomatic Engagement Intensifies Amid Regional Tensions
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar invited his Iranian counterpart Seyyed Abbas Araghchi to visit Pakistan during a telephone conversation on Monday, as the two diplomats discussed the regional security situation and growing tensions in the Middle East .
According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, Dar and Araghchi exchanged views on regional and international developments, including the deteriorating situation in occupied East Jerusalem, and reaffirmed the importance of continued diplomatic engagement to address regional challenges . Dar extended a formal invitation to Araghchi to undertake an official visit to Pakistan at the earliest possible opportunity .
Pakistan’s Role as Principal Mediator
The conversation came hours after Iran said Pakistan remained the principal mediator in efforts to reduce tensions between Tehran and Washington, despite the absence of direct negotiations between the two countries .
Earlier on Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei told a news briefing in Tehran that there was “no new mediator” between Iran and the United States and that no negotiations were currently taking place . He said Pakistan, alongside Türkiye and Qatar, was working to revive the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding .
Baghaei emphasized that Qatar continued to facilitate dialogue when needed, while China was using its diplomatic influence to help ease regional tensions . He stressed that Iran remained committed to diplomacy but argued that meaningful progress would be difficult while hostilities continued, describing the US campaign against Iran as “a war against the entire region” .
Separate Track: Iran-Oman Talks on Hormuz
Baghaei confirmed that Iran’s negotiations with Oman are focused on designating a temporary maritime route through the Strait of Hormuz, but stressed these are separate from any decision to reopen the strategic waterway . He noted that the talks are centered on a round-trip corridor that would run between Iranian territorial waters and Omani waters .
“The situation will remain unstable as long as US aggression continues,” Baghaei said .
Broader Diplomatic Outreach
Earlier on Monday, Araghchi held separate telephone conversations with Field Marshal Asim Munir and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan to discuss regional security and efforts to prevent further escalation . According to Iran’s state news agency IRNA, Araghchi and Munir discussed the impact of ongoing US and Israeli actions against Iran and stressed the need for greater regional cooperation and political solutions to avoid a wider conflict.
