Foreign ministers from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey met in Islamabad on Sunday to discuss the ongoing war in the Middle East, as Islamabad continues to play a quiet mediating role between United States and Iran.
The four-way meeting brought together senior diplomats to review the fast-changing regional situation and address issues of shared concern, according to Pakistan’s foreign ministry. The talks took place under tight security in the capital’s Red Zone, where key government offices and diplomatic missions are located. Roads leading to the area were sealed, and the venue was marked by the flags of the participating nations.
Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Turkey’s Hakan Fidan arrived in Islamabad late Saturday, while Saudi Arabia’s Faisal bin Farhan joined the talks on Sunday. Iran, the United States and Israel were not represented at the meeting.
Ahead of the discussions, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held separate bilateral meetings with his counterparts. Fidan and Abdelatty also met Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, reflecting the military’s role in shaping the country’s foreign policy approach.
Pakistan has increasingly positioned itself as a channel of communication between Tehran and Washington as the conflict continues. With longstanding ties to Iran and close relations with Gulf states, Islamabad has sought to bridge gaps at a time when direct engagement remains limited.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has also stepped up diplomatic outreach. On Saturday, he held a lengthy phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, discussing efforts to ease tensions. According to officials, Pezeshkian expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s attempts to mediate and help end hostilities.
While Iran has publicly denied engaging in formal negotiations with Washington, reports indicate that Tehran has used Islamabad to convey its response to a proposed framework by US President Donald Trump aimed at ending the war.
Separately, Dar said late Saturday that Iran had permitted additional Pakistani-flagged vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route affected by the conflict. He described the move as a positive step toward easing tensions and maintaining trade flows.
Posting on social media, Dar emphasised the importance of continued engagement, stating that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable path forward. He also tagged senior US officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, alongside Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
The Islamabad meeting comes amid growing international concern over the conflict’s impact on regional stability, trade routes and global energy markets, with diplomatic efforts continuing on multiple fronts to prevent further escalation.
