Top diplomats from major regional powers met in Pakistan over the weekend to discuss ways to end the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, even as fighting continues with US-Israeli strikes on Iran and retaliatory missile and drone attacks by Tehran.Pakistan said that the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt are participating in the talks in Islamabad. However, neither the United States nor Israel participated in the discussions.Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Ati and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan arrived on Saturday, while Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived on Sunday at the invitation of Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
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The two-day quadripartite meeting is part of Pakistan’s efforts to advance diplomatic solutions to the crisis.According to the Pakistani Foreign Ministry, participants will hold “in-depth discussions on a range of issues, including efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region,” and are also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
On the sidelines, Dar also held separate bilateral meetings with his counterparts, Dawn reported.
In talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, the two sides discussed “evolving regional and international developments” and stressed the importance of dialogue and cooperation.“They stressed the importance of dialogue, diplomacy and collective efforts to promote peace, security and stability in the region,” the Foreign Ministry said, adding that the two countries agreed to continue working together to enhance cooperation and contribute to regional peace.Dar also met Turkish President Hakan Fidan, where he reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to expanding relations “in all sectors of mutual interest” and highlighted the “historical and fraternal ties” between the two countries.In a separate meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aty, the two sides affirmed their “commitment to deepening cooperation in multiple fields.”The four-way meeting was initially scheduled to be held in Turkey, but was later moved to Islamabad, where Ishaq Dar was unable to travel, as Pakistan was trying hard to position itself as a diplomatic player in efforts to facilitate talks between the US and Iran, Al-Fajr newspaper reported.
Strait of Hormuz and navigation relief
In a major development, Dar also announced that Iran has agreed to allow another twenty Pakistani-flagged ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy route through which about 20% of the world’s oil flows.He said: “I am happy to share with you the wonderful news that the Iranian government has agreed to allow twenty more ships flying the Pakistani flag to pass through the Strait of Hormuz; two ships will transit the strait daily.”He added, “This is a welcome and constructive gesture on the part of Iran and deserves appreciation. It is a harbinger of peace and will help achieve stability in the region,” stressing that “dialogue, diplomacy, and these confidence-building measures are the only way forward.”
Limited progress, continued tensions
Despite diplomatic efforts, there were few signs of a breakthrough. The United States sent additional forces to the region, while Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf rejected the talks, describing them as a cover and warning that Tehran was ready to respond forcefully to any ground invasion.On the ground, hostilities continued. Israel reported new strikes coming from Iran, while explosions were heard throughout Tehran.Meanwhile, the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen entered the conflict, firing missiles toward what they described as “sensitive Israeli military sites.”US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Washington “can achieve all of our goals without ground forces,” even as domestic opposition to a broader war grows.
Iran’s conditions and threats
Top diplomats met in Islamabad just days after the United States presented a 15-point “action list” as a framework for a possible peace deal with Iran.However, Tehran rejected the proposal and is reportedly working on its own plan, which includes demands such as a halt to attacks on Iranian officials, guarantees against future strikes, compensation, and recognition of its sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.Tensions escalated further after Israeli raids hit Iranian universities. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard warned that Israeli and American universities in the region could become “legitimate targets” unless safety guarantees are provided.The Revolutionary Guard said: “If the American government wants to preserve its universities in the region, it must condemn the bombing of (Iranian) universities by 12 noon on Monday, March 30, in an official statement.”
High toll of conflict
The war, which began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran, has killed more than 3,000 people across the region.Iran has reported more than 1,900 people killed, while at least 19 people have been killed in Israel. In Lebanon, more than 1,100 people were killed during Israeli operations against Hezbollah. In Iraq, 80 security personnel were killed, while 20 deaths were reported in the Gulf states and four in the occupied West Bank.Despite diplomatic efforts, the gap between the United States and Iran remains wide, with both sides continuing military operations even as the talks struggle to gain traction.
