ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister/ Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Sunday said it was “imperative” for the United States and Iran to uphold their ceasefire commitments, following the conclusion of Islamabad Talks after intensive negotiations.
The trilateral ‘Islamabad Talks’, culminated almost 21 hours after they began on Saturday afternoon, with US Vice President JD Vance — who headed the American delegation — saying that intensive negotiations with Iran had failed to produce an agreement.
Vance said talks with Iran lasted around 21 hours and covered a range of critical issues. “The bad news is that we have not reached an agreement, and I think that’s bad news for Iran much more than it is bad news for the United States of America,” he added.
Following the presser, Vance departed Islamabad with what he described as his country’s “final and best offer”, adding that it remained to be seen whether Iran would accept it.
He boarded Air Force Two at 7:08am and waved to Pakistani officials from the top of the stairs. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Asim Munir and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi were among others present.
About the conclusion of talks, Dar expressed gratitude to both sides, saying he was “deeply grateful to the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America for responding to the call made by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif for an immediate ceasefire in the region.”
He also thanked both the countries “for accepting prime minister’s invitation for holding peace talks in Islamabad.”
Dar said the US delegation, headed by Vance, and the Iranian delegation, led by Speaker of Parliament Bagher Ghalibaf, had arrived in Pakistan to participate in the talks.
“I along with the Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir helped mediate several rounds of intense and constructive negotiations between the two sides that continued through the last 24 hours and ended this morning,” he said.
On behalf of Pakistan, Dar said he would “like to express gratitude to the two sides for appreciating Pakistan’s efforts to help achieve the ceasefire and its mediatory role.”
He expressed the hope that both parties would maintain momentum, stating: “We hope that the two sides continue with the positive spirit to achieve durable peace and prosperity for the entire region and beyond.”
“It is imperative that the parties continue to uphold their commitment to ceasefire,” he stressed.
Dar reiterated Pakistan’s role going forward, saying: “Pakistan has been and will continue to play its role to facilitate engagement and dialogue between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America in the days to come.”
Separately, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar held a series of telephonic conversations with the Foreign Ministers of Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye to discuss the ongoing diplomatic efforts under the “Islamabad Talks.”
During his conversation with Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, the DPM briefed him on the latest developments and Pakistan’s continued role in facilitating engagement between the parties concerned. He highlighted the importance of all sides upholding their commitments to the ceasefire.
In a separate call with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Senator Dar shared similar updates, stressing the need for strict adherence to ceasefire agreements and sustained diplomatic engagement.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to peace, the DPM underscored the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in achieving long-term stability in the region and beyond. He reiterated Pakistan’s resolve to continue supporting all efforts aimed at fostering constructive engagement and lasting peace.
Later in the day, Senator Dar also spoke with Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. During the conversation, he shared the latest developments regarding the Islamabad Talks and underscored the importance of all parties adhering to their ceasefire commitments.
Foreign Minister Fidan commended Pakistan’s constructive role in facilitating dialogue between Iran and the United States. Both leaders reaffirmed their support for continued diplomatic engagement aimed at sustaining dialogue and promoting peace and stability in the region and beyond.
Foreign Minister Fidan also extended an invitation to Senator Dar to attend the upcoming Antalya Diplomacy Forum later this month.
