ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday expressed optimism that Islamabad’s relentless diplomatic efforts would help bring an early end to the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran, stressing the urgency of de-escalation for global stability.
Addressing ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps in Islamabad, Deputy PM Dar said Pakistan was actively engaging both Washington and Tehran to facilitate a peaceful settlement.
“Whatever has happened so far, it has already dented global GDP to a great degree,” Dar said, adding that ending the conflict is Pakistan’s “goal and aim” as a mediator.
Ishaq Dar said Islamabad had undertaken extensive diplomatic outreach since the conflict began, engaging with around 120 counterparts worldwide.
The interactions, he said, reflected Pakistan’s seriousness in seeking a truce between the two sides and bringing an end to hostilities.
Pakistan emerged as a key mediator after fighting began on February 28 following US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
After weeks of war, Islamabad brokered a two-week ceasefire on April 8 and later hosted direct talks between US and Iranian negotiators in Islamabad.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar briefed the Diplomatic Corps on the first anniversary of #MarkaEHaq, describing it as a symbol of Pakistan’s unity, resilience, and the unwavering resolve of its Armed Forces to defend the country’s sovereignty and… pic.twitter.com/i5CaPGebh2
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) May 5, 2026
Pakistan’s constant contact with global stakeholders
Referring to the negotiations held between April 10 and 11, Dar said the “Islamabad Talks” had reached an “advanced level”.
“We still hope that it will eventually and hopefully very soon conclude,” he added.
He said Pakistan had succeeded in bringing the two sides to the table for direct talks for the first time in 47 years.
Dar said Pakistan remained in constant contact with global stakeholders and would continue to act as a bridge between the two sides.
“[The] objective is common… that this conflict ends in a dignified manner. It should be a win-win,” he said.
However, Dar said that details of the mediation efforts could not be disclosed due to the sensitive nature of the process.
US-Iran talks making progress
On Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said talks with the United States were making progress with Pakistan’s “gracious effort”.
In a statement on Monday, Araghchi said recent developments in the Strait of Hormuz showed there was no military solution to the crisis and emphasised continued diplomacy.
Events in Hormuz make clear that there's no military solution to a political crisis.
As talks are making progress with Pakistan's gracious effort, the U.S. should be wary of being dragged back into quagmire by ill-wishers. So should the UAE.
Project Freedom is Project Deadlock.
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) May 4, 2026
The diplomatic push comes amid renewed tensions in the Gulf, where US and Iranian forces have exchanged attacks while competing for control over the Strait of Hormuz.
Araghchi is also scheduled to visit China on May 6 at the invitation of Beijing, where he will hold talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, according to China’s foreign ministry.
Progress through Pakistan channel
On Monday, Iran confirmed it had received Washington’s response to a 14-point proposal aimed at ending the conflict, signalling potential progress through Pakistan’s mediation.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Tehran was reviewing the response and would convey its position via Pakistani intermediaries.
“We have received the American side’s response and are reviewing it, and we will definitely announce our views through the Pakistani mediation as soon as we reach a conclusion,” Baqaei said, according to state-run IRNA news agency.
Although the ceasefire remains in place, no agreement has yet been reached on a lasting truce.
US President Trump later extended the ceasefire without setting a new deadline, following a request from Pakistan.
Pakistan has continued to support diplomatic engagement through additional steps aimed at building trust.
On Monday, Islamabad handed over crew members of an Iranian container vessel that had been seized by US forces last month.
The MV Touska was intercepted near the Strait of Hormuz for violating a naval blockade, and its crew was later transferred to Pakistan for repatriation to Iran.
