Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday rejected reports suggesting Tehran had declined to participate in proposed peace talks in Islamabad, asserting that Iran had “never refused” to engage in dialogue hosted by Pakistan aimed at ending the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel.
In a post on X, Araghchi said Iran’s stance was being “misrepresented by US media,” while reiterating Tehran’s appreciation for Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach. “We are deeply grateful to Pakistan for its efforts and have never refused to go to Islamabad,” he wrote, adding that Iran’s primary concern remained securing terms that would ensure a “conclusive and lasting end” to what he described as an “illegal war imposed on us.” The Iranian foreign minister also shared visuals of Iranians waving Pakistani flags, describing it as a gesture of goodwill towards Pakistan and its people. He concluded his message with “Pakistan Zindabad” written in Urdu.
Araghchi’s remarks came a day after a report by The Wall Street Journal claimed that the latest round of mediation efforts led by Pakistan to broker a ceasefire between Washington and Tehran had hit a “dead end,” citing unnamed interlocutors.
Responding to the clarification, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar welcomed the statement, calling it timely and important. “Truly appreciate your clarification, my dear brother,” Dar wrote on X.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi also weighed in, cautioning against speculative reporting. He termed Araghchi’s statement a “timely reminder” and urged reliance on “official statements and verified media readouts” for accurate information.
The Iranian clarification follows a series of media reports suggesting Tehran had yet to formally respond to proposals for dialogue, despite ongoing backchannel contacts in recent days.
Pakistan, for its part, has continued to position itself as a key facilitator, leveraging its ties with Washington, its working relationship with Tehran, and its strategic alignment with Beijing. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had earlier offered Islamabad as a venue for “meaningful and conclusive talks,” an offer that has since been reiterated at multiple diplomatic engagements, including a recent quadrilateral meeting of regional foreign ministers.
Apart from relaying messages between Washington and Tehran, Pakistan also hosted key regional ministers – from Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Egypt – on March 31, as part of joint efforts to end the war.
Following the quadrilateral meeting in Islamabad, DPM Dar also held a high-level bilateral meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing.
The meeting’s five-point initiative for peace included the immediate cessation of hostilities, the start of talks as soon as possible, security of non-military targets and shipping lanes, and primacy of the United Nations Charter.
On April 2, the Foreign Office said Pakistan was intensifying diplomatic engagement with the United States to promote de-escalation and facilitate a path towards meaningful negotiations.
“Pakistan is actively working to create a conducive environment for de-escalation and dialogue,” Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi told reporters in Islamabad, adding that the next phase would focus on meaningful negotiations among relevant stakeholders.
Separately, Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar held a telephone conversation on Saturday with Foreign Minister of Bahrain, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani and discussed the latest regional situation.
DPM/FM underscored the urgent need for de-escalation and emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy. He highlighted the Pakistan-China five-point initiative aimed at promoting peace and stability in the Middle East and the Gulf region.
FM Al Zayani appreciated the efforts being pursued by Pakistan for dialogue and diplomacy for peace and stability in the region. Both sides also exchanged views on multilateral efforts, including at the UNSC, and agreed to remain in close contact.
Dar also held a telephone conversation with Foreign Minister of Egypt, Badr Abdelatty, on Saturday. The two leaders discussed the latest regional developments and ongoing diplomatic efforts, underscoring the importance of dialogue and de-escalation.
Moreover, Pakistan Saturday strongly condemned the incident of vandalism and unrest targeting the embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Damascus.