- 21-hour conversations reflect the seriousness of both delegations: FO.
- Pakistan maintains continuous contact with global partners: FO.
- Ceasefire in Lebanon seen as vital for regional stability: FO.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday urged the media not to speculate on the schedule of the second round of negotiations between the United States and Iran, saying the schedule of the upcoming talks has not yet been announced.
In a weekly briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andarabi declined to share details of diplomatic engagements, stressing the need for trust and confidentiality. “If we had shared that information, it would have been a breach of trust,” he said.
“The important thing is that both sides are willing to compromise and that the dialogue continues,” he said, adding that details about delegations and participation were secondary and an internal matter for the parties concerned.
His comments came amid reports that US-Iran negotiating teams could return to Islamabad later this week, five sources said. Reutersdays after the highest-level inaugural talks between the two countries in decades ended inconclusively.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said on April 14 that talks between Washington and Tehran could resume in the next two days and that “we are more inclined to go” to Pakistan, he reported. The New York Post.
The earlier meeting in Islamabad, held three days after last Wednesday’s ceasefire announcement, marked the first direct meeting between US and Iranian officials in more than a decade and the highest-level engagement since Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.
US Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf led their respective delegations in the latest round of talks to resolve a range of issues, including the Strait of Hormuz, a major transit point for global energy supplies that Iran has effectively blocked but which the US has promised to reopen, as well as Iran’s nuclear program and international sanctions on Tehran.
The trilateral ‘Islamabad Talks’ lasted almost 21 hours after starting on the afternoon of April 11, reflecting the complexity and high stakes.
Despite extensive discussions, the first round ended without a formal agreement. However, officials in Islamabad saw the meeting as a significant step toward opening direct channels of communication between Washington and Tehran.
Separately, a proposal has been shared with both Washington and Tehran to send delegations for the resumption of talks, Reuters reported, citing sources, as Islamabad continues to coordinate with both sides on the timing of the next round, which could take place over the weekend.
These developments echo Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s earlier statements, in which he noted that although the first round of talks between the US and Iran in Islamabad was inconclusive, Pakistan’s efforts to bridge differences between the two sides continue, with diplomatic channels actively involved.
Pakistan’s push to bring Iran and the United States to the negotiating table for their highest-level face-to-face talks in decades to end weeks of war has garnered international praise.
“Neither progress nor breakup”
Addressing the media today, FO spokesperson Andarabi said negotiations between the United States and Iran continued in a “serious and constructive manner,” describing the outcome as neither a “breakthrough nor a failure.”
“There was neither a breakthrough nor a breakup,” he said, adding that the two delegations held 21 hours of continuous talks, while the overall negotiation process extended beyond 24 hours.
He added that nuclear issues remained among the key topics of discussion in the negotiations.
He noted that such prolonged engagement on complex issues reflected an “extraordinary commitment” on both sides. “The seriousness, determination and positive attitude of the participants must be appreciated,” he added, noting that the leadership of both countries, along with the mediating officials, remained present at all times.
Calling the round of “historical importance”, the spokesperson said the role played by the leaders of the three countries deserved recognition.
The spokesperson said Pakistan will continue to act as a mediator and facilitator, keeping communication channels open between Tehran and Washington.
“All diplomatic efforts, including the Islamabad talks, are part of an ongoing process,” Andarabi said, noting that high-level engagements in Tehran and visits by delegations were also part of this broader effort.
He added that Pakistan had maintained contact with world leaders through telephone diplomacy ahead of the talks and would continue to engage international partners.
“Pakistan’s position remains in favor of peace, stability and prosperity,” he said, reiterating that Islamabad was relying on its allies and friendly countries, while welcoming the support of world powers, including Russia.
Highlighting Pakistan’s broader diplomatic reach, he said the country had actively participated in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (SCO-RATS) and hosted a meeting of senior officials from Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Egypt in Islamabad.
He also confirmed that Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Chief of Defense Forces (COAS), Field Marshal Asim Munir, was in Iran as part of ongoing engagements.
Lebanon situation
The spokesman strongly condemned the Israeli attacks in Lebanon and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
He said the ceasefire in Lebanon was part of the negotiations and was being viewed within the broader context of the regional peace process.
“The signs of improvement on the Israel-Lebanon front over the past two days are encouraging,” he said, adding that reducing tension would help create an environment conducive to dialogue.
“Peace in Lebanon and an end to armed actions are essential,” he said, emphasizing that reducing tensions could support progress in negotiations.
The broader conflict in the region began with the US and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28. Hezbollah opened fire in support of Tehran on March 2, sparking an Israeli offensive that has killed more than 2,000 people and forced 1.2 million from their homes, according to Lebanese authorities.
Iran says Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon must be included in any deal to end the broader war in the Middle East. Washington has responded, saying there is no link between the two sets of talks.
