Pakistan hosts Saudi, Turkish and Egyptian diplomats for talks on Iran war

Pakistan hosted senior diplomats from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt on Sunday for high-level talks aimed at easing tensions in the ongoing Iran war, as Islamabad steps up its role as a regional mediator.

The meetings in Islamabad brought together foreign ministers and senior officials from the three countries, with discussions focused on reducing hostilities and finding a diplomatic path forward. The talks come amid growing concern over the widening scope of the conflict, which has now impacted multiple countries across West Asia.

Officials emphasised the need for restraint and dialogue, with participants agreeing that a negotiated settlement remains the only viable way to prevent further escalation. Pakistan’s leadership has been actively engaging with multiple stakeholders in recent weeks, positioning itself as a bridge between opposing sides.

The initiative is part of a broader diplomatic push led by Islamabad to bring the United States and Iran closer to talks, even as direct engagement between the two remains elusive. While the current round of discussions does not include US or Israeli representatives, it is seen as an effort to build regional consensus and create conditions for future negotiations.

The conflict, now in its second month, has already resulted in thousands of casualties and significant damage to infrastructure across the region. Missile and drone strikes have spread beyond Iran and Israel to countries including Lebanon, Yemen and several Gulf states, raising fears of a prolonged regional war.

Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach is also driven by its own strategic concerns. The country shares close ties with Saudi Arabia while maintaining a border and working relationship with Iran, placing it in a delicate position as tensions escalate. Hosting talks allows Islamabad to balance these relationships while avoiding direct involvement in the conflict.

The participation of Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt highlights a coordinated regional effort to de-escalate the crisis. The Saudi foreign minister is also expected to join the discussions, further underlining the significance of the initiative.

Despite these efforts, challenges remain significant. Trust between key parties is low, and ongoing military operations continue to complicate diplomatic progress. Previous proposals, including a US-backed peace framework, have failed to gain traction, with Iran putting forward its own conditions for negotiations.