Pakistan claims Israel disrupted US-Iran peace talks

Islamabad: Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has alleged that Israel deliberately attempted to derail ceasefire negotiations between the United States and Iran by attacking Tehran at a critical stage when both parties were preparing to hold talks.

“A dangerous development took place last Monday night. Israel attacked Iran at a stage when both sides, Washington and Tehran, were ready to sit down,” Dar told lawmakers in the Pakistani Senate, according to local broadcaster Geo News.

He added that Pakistan had been optimistic about the peace process prior to the attack, noting that both the US and Iran had agreed to allow Islamabad to facilitate discussions.

Mediation efforts and exchange of proposals

Dar explained that Pakistan had delivered Washington’s 15-point conditions to Tehran, while also presenting Iran’s five-point proposals to the United States. On Monday, Tehran submitted a 10-point proposal outlining its stance on ending the conflict. The Iranian plan rejected a temporary ceasefire, calling instead for a permanent resolution.

According to Iran’s state news agency IRNA, Tehran had conveyed its response to the US proposal via Pakistan following two weeks of high-level deliberations. Dar described the matter as being at a “sensitive stage,” particularly following Iran’s attacks on Saudi oil facilities.

Regional collaboration to end conflict

Dar also highlighted that Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt are working jointly to de-escalate tensions in the region.

In a related development, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over the phone on Tuesday to discuss ongoing hostilities. The Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s “unwavering” support for Riyadh and condemned Iran’s recent assault on Saudi Arabia’s Al Jubeil oil facility.

Sharif praised the Saudi leadership for exercising “maximum restraint” amid the crisis and assured that Pakistan was working diligently alongside other nations to support peace initiatives. He also updated the Crown Prince on Islamabad’s ongoing mediation efforts aimed at stabilising the region.

The Saudi crown prince, in response, welcomed Pakistan’s commitment to peace and stability, according to a statement from Sharif’s office.