ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke over the phone with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi on Monday and discussed “current developments” in Iran amid nationwide protests.
According to a Foreign Office statement, Ishaq Dar reaffirmed the importance of sustained dialogue and engagement. “Both sides agreed to continue to maintain close contact,” the statement added.
Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50, spoke today with the Foreign Minister of Iran, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi @Araghchi, and discussed current developments in Iran.
DPM/FM reaffirmed the importance of sustained dialogue and engagement.… pic.twitter.com/h0hYzt3doM
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) January 12, 2026
Since December, Iran has been experiencing nationwide protests against rampant inflation and the local currency’s plunge to record lows. Demonstrations have spread to all 31 provinces and more than 180 cities.
On Monday, Iran’s foreign minister said Tehran is ready for both war and negotiations after repeated threats from US President Donald Trump over the crackdown on nationwide protests.
The unrest, now in its third week, was triggered by economic grievances and has prompted a near-total internet blackout lasting more than 84 hours, according to monitor NetBlocks.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told a conference of foreign ambassadors in Tehran, broadcast by state television, that Iran is “not seeking war but is fully prepared for war.”
Araghchi’s statements followed Trump’s repeated warnings of US military intervention.
The US president said on Sunday that Iranian leaders had contacted him seeking negotiations after he threatened action over the protests.
“There’s a meeting being set up… They want to negotiate,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. He added, however, that “we may have to act before a meeting.”
Pakistan’s Ministry of Information has dismissed “propaganda” that the United States will be using Pakistani bases or airspace for possible strikes against Iran.
The ministry in a post on X called the allegations “pure disinformation” and a “reckless, blame-pushing narrative.
Recalling Islamabad’s official position during the recent 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel, in which the US also carried out strikes inside Iran, the ministry said Pakistan had publicly condemned the US actions.
