Pakistan to host US-Iran talks amid escalating Middle East conflict
Islamabad: Pakistan has announced that it will soon host talks between the United States and Iran, positioning itself as a key mediator amid the escalating conflict in West Asia.
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar made the announcement on Sunday, though he did not clarify whether the discussions would be direct or indirect. There was no immediate response from Washington or Tehran.
“Pakistan is very happy that both Iran and the U.S. have expressed their confidence in Pakistan’s facilitation” of the talks, which will happen in the “coming days,” Dar said in a televised address following a meeting of regional foreign ministers in Islamabad.
He added that top diplomats from Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia have backed Pakistan’s peace initiative, with another round of talks expected on Monday. Officials say Islamabad’s role as mediator comes after weeks of behind-the-scenes diplomacy, leveraging its ties with both countries.
The diplomatic push comes even as tensions on the ground continue to escalate. Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, issued a stark warning to the United States, cautioning against any ground invasion.
“The enemy publicly sends messages of negotiation and dialogue while secretly planning a ground attack,” he said.
“Our men are waiting for the arrival of the American soldiers on the ground to set them on fire and punish their regional allies once and for all,” he added.
The remarks follow the deployment of thousands of US Marines to the region, raising fears of further escalation in the already volatile conflict.
Conflict spreads across region
The war, which began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran, has now widened across multiple fronts. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel will expand its offensive in southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah positions and enlarging what he described as a “security strip.”
The conflict has already caused heavy casualties, with over 3,000 people reported killed across Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Iraq and Gulf countries. In Lebanon alone, more than 1,200 deaths have been recorded, while Iranian authorities say over 1,900 people have been killed inside the country.
Beyond the battlefield, the war is disrupting global energy markets and trade routes. Iran’s strategic control over the Strait of Hormuz has rattled oil and gas supplies, while concerns are growing over shipping through the Red Sea corridor.
“We don’t know at what moment our homes could be targeted,” said Razzak Saghir al-Mousawi, 71. “I am definitely afraid.”
Uncertain path to dialogue
Despite Pakistan’s efforts to bring both sides to the table, prospects for a breakthrough remain uncertain. Iran has publicly rejected a US-proposed framework for peace talks, though reports suggest Tehran has drafted its own conditions, including guarantees against future attacks and recognition of its sovereignty.
Regional leaders have stressed the need for dialogue to prevent further escalation, but the continuing military build-up and threats from all sides underline the fragile nature of the situation.