ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday discussed recent developments with Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong after the conclusion of US–Iran talks in Islamabad, reaffirming Islamabad’s commitment to support dialogue and diplomacy.
Deputy PM Dar received today the Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, Pakistan’s Foreign Office stated. During the meeting, both sides discussed recent developments following the Islamabad talks.
Ishaq Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s continued resolve to support dialogue and diplomacy as Pakistan intensified efforts to resolve the Iran conflict through diplomacy and dialogue.
The Chinese Ambassador commended Pakistan’s important role in facilitating direct talks between the United States and Iran, the Foreign Office stated.
Both sides reaffirmed the strong Pakistan–China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership.
Deputy Prime Minister/ Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 received today Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong.
Discussions centered on recent developments following the Islamabad talks. DPM/FM reaffirmed Pakistan’s continued resolve to support… pic.twitter.com/5JFeuHnmF2
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) April 13, 2026
Islamabad Talks
Pakistan-mediated talks between the US and Iran concluded in Islamabad on Sunday after more than 21 hours of intensive negotiations, with all sides signalling that diplomatic engagement will continue.
Following the talks, Pakistan urged the US and Iran to maintain a “positive spirit” and uphold the ceasefire.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar stressed Islamabad’s continued commitment to facilitating dialogue between the US and Iran.
Dar emphasised that diplomacy must continue despite the absence of a breakthrough.
“We hope that the two sides continue with the positive spirit to achieve durable peace and prosperity for the entire region and beyond,” he said.
Highlighting the importance of maintaining stability, Dar underscored that adherence to the ceasefire remains critical.
“It is imperative that the parties continue to uphold their commitment to the ceasefire,” he added.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s diplomatic role, the foreign minister said Islamabad would remain actively engaged in supporting future negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
“Pakistan has been and will continue to play its role to facilitate engagement and dialogue between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America in the days to come.”
Dar also expressed appreciation to both countries for responding to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s call for a ceasefire and for accepting Pakistan’s invitation to hold talks in Islamabad.
He noted that the negotiations, led by US Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, involved “intense and constructive” engagement, with Pakistan playing a key mediating role.
US–Iran talks to continue
Following the talks, US Vice President JD Vance, while speaking to the media in Islamabad, said the discussions were substantive but fell short of a breakthrough.
“We’ve made very clear what our red lines are, what things we’re willing to accommodate them on, and what things we’re not willing to accommodate them on… and they have chosen not to accept our terms.”
Despite the lack of agreement, Vance signalled that diplomacy was still in motion, confirming that a proposal had been left on the table for Tehran to consider.
“We leave here with a very simple proposal — a method of understanding that is our final and best offer. We’ll see if the Iranians accept it.”
He stressed that the core US objective remains ensuring that Iran does not develop nuclear weapons or the capability to rapidly acquire them.
“We need to see an affirmative commitment that they will not seek a nuclear weapon… not just now, but for the long term. We haven’t seen that yet. We hope that we will.”
Vance added that while discussions covered a wide range of issues — including Iran’s nuclear programme and frozen assets — the two sides were unable, for now, to bridge key differences.
“We talked about all those issues… but we just could not get to a situation where the Iranians were willing to accept our terms.”
Iran stresses ‘good faith’
Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has issued a series of posts on X following Pakistan-facilitated US–Iran talks in Islamabad, striking a cautiously constructive tone.
Ghalibaf said Iran approached the negotiations with the intent to engage, but remained sceptical due to previous encounters with the United States.
“Before the negotiations, I emphasised that we have the necessary good faith and will, but due to the experiences of the two previous wars, we have no trust in the opposing side,” he wrote.
Iranian delegation members had put forward forward-looking initiatives during the discussions, he said, rushing to add, “but the process did not succeed in building sufficient trust with the opposing side in this round, appearing hopeful for the continuation of diplomacy.
At the same time, the Iranian Speaker expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s diplomatic role in facilitating the engagement.
“I am also grateful for the efforts of our friendly and brotherly country, Pakistan, in facilitating the process of these negotiations, and I send my regards to the people of Pakistan,” he stated.
