By Zahid Shah

ISLAMABAD - Top diplomats from Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt held a high-level quadrilateral meeting in Islamabad, moving closer to finalizing a venue and framework for anticipated direct talks between the United States and Iran, diplomatic sources said on Sunday.

The meeting was attended by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty.

According to sources, the talks focused on the evolving Middle East crisis and ways to end ongoing hostilities by bringing Washington and Tehran to the negotiating table. The four countries also agreed to continue playing a “positive and constructive role” in facilitating dialogue.

Diplomatic discussions have narrowed down potential venues for the US–Iran talks to either Islamabad or Istanbul, with an official announcement expected soon.

Earlier reports in US media suggested Istanbul as a preferred option due to security considerations. However, Pakistan has strongly asserted its readiness to host the talks. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi recently stated that Pakistan is a safe country and fully capable of hosting such high-level negotiations.

Sources added that Tehran has conveyed its willingness to attend talks in Islamabad, viewing Pakistan as a trusted partner amid ongoing tensions.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formally offered to host the dialogue in Islamabad, positioning Pakistan as a central facilitator in the crisis.

In a notable development, US President Donald Trump shared a screenshot of Sharif’s offer on social media, a move analysts interpret as a signal of support for Pakistan’s mediation role.

A key focus of the quadrilateral meeting was Iran’s demand for security guarantees in any future agreement. Sources said discussions included the possibility of Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt acting as guarantors to ensure that no future military action is taken against Iran.

Under such an arrangement, the four countries could collectively commit to supporting Tehran in case of any violation of a potential agreement, a mechanism aimed at building trust and ensuring compliance.

Officials indicated that the US–Iran talks could take place as early as next week, depending on final agreements over venue and framework. A formal statement from Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry is expected soon outlining the outcomes of the Islamabad meeting.

The developments mark a significant push as regional powers intensify efforts to defuse one of the most volatile crises in recent years and restore stability to the Middle East and global energy markets.