ISLAMABAD — A two-day quadrilateral meeting of foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Egypt, and Pakistan is underway in Islamabad to address escalating regional tensions amid the ongoing US-Israeli conflict with Iran.
Pakistan has emerged as a key intermediary, facilitating communication between Tehran and Washington as the war, which began on February 28, continues to affect the broader Middle East. The meeting aims to create a diplomatic pathway to end the conflict.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty are participating in discussions alongside Pakistan’s leadership. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed that Pakistan, with support from Turkey and Egypt, is relaying messages between the United States and Iran.
Recent diplomatic efforts included direct contact between Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Asim Munir and US President Donald Trump, with Pakistan transmitting a US proposal to Iran. Iran rejected the proposal, asserting it would end the conflict on its own terms and outlining five conditions, including a halt to aggression, reparations, and recognition of its control over the Strait of Hormuz.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also held a detailed telephone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, emphasizing Pakistan’s condemnation of Israeli attacks on Iran and reiterating Pakistan’s solidarity with the Iranian people. The discussions focused on de-escalation, dialogue, and Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach to the US and other regional partners.
On the sidelines of the quadrilateral meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Dar held separate discussions with his Egyptian and Turkish counterparts. The meetings focused on regional tensions, bilateral cooperation, and humanitarian support for Gaza, reaffirming Pakistan’s condemnation of Israeli aggression and its support for Palestinian people.
Both meetings underscored the need for restraint, diplomacy, and sustained dialogue to ensure peace and stability in the Middle East.
