DND Report
Islamabad, Pakistan: Despite the apparent failure of the US-Iran talks in Islamabad, Pakistan continued its proactive diplomacy, leading to direct contact between Iran, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia to deliberate the evolving Middle East situation.
According to diplomatic circles in Islamabad, Pakistan, during two separate meetings with the Iranian delegation prior to its departure from Islamabad, secured a commitment from Tehran to improve relations with its Middle Eastern neighbours, particularly Saudi Arabia. Such a move, sources said, would not only help Iran break out of regional isolation but also ease Islamabad’s position, given its defence ties with Riyadh and the deployment of Pakistani troops for the protection of Saudi land.
Insiders revealed that this issue was discussed in detail during meetings between Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and the Iranian delegation, followed by discussions with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.
Sources informed DND News Agency that Pakistan firmly conveyed to the Iranian side that its regional isolation was creating strategic disadvantages, especially as pro-Israel lobbies benefit from Iran’s strained relations with key regional players such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait.
According to insiders, Prime Minister Sharif highlighted that Saudi Arabia had shown considerable restraint towards Iran despite repeated attacks on its installations, including petroleum facilities, reflecting Riyadh’s desire to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East. Pakistan also offered its good offices to help Iran resolve, or at least ease, misunderstandings with its regional neighbours.
Sources further claimed that Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement contributed to direct contacts between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his regional counterparts.
On Monday, Araghchi held a telephone conversation with his Qatari counterpart to review the latest regional developments and brief him on the Islamabad talks. He also spoke with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, discussing both the Islamabad talks and broader regional issues.
According to Pakistani sources, these telephonic conversations were “positive,” “result-oriented,” and “forward-looking.”
It is pertinent to mention that Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif is expected to visit Saudi Arabia soon to discuss regional de-escalation and explore ways to bring a complete end to the US-Israeli-imposed war against Iran. He may also visit Turkey and Qatar following his Saudi trip.
