BY The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD - A crucial diplomatic push is underway in Islamabad as senior foreign ministers from Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt convene for high-level consultations aimed at paving the way for direct negotiations between Iran and the United States, diplomatic sources said on Sunday.

The gathering comes amid indications that Tehran has agreed in principle to attend direct talks with Washington, provided a framework of guarantees is established by key regional powers. The four countries meeting in Islamabad are expected to play a central role as guarantors, addressing Iran’s core security and economic concerns before formal negotiations begin.

According to sources familiar with the discussions, Iran has laid out a set of preliminary demands as prerequisites for any potential agreement with the United States. These include:

• Binding guarantees that no future military attacks will be carried out by the US or Israel
• Financial compensation amounting to billions of dollars for damage caused by recent US-Israeli strikes
• Recognition of Iran’s right to continue its missile program
• Clarification that Tehran does not intend to expand uranium enrichment beyond existing levels

These conditions reflect Tehran’s attempt to secure both deterrence and economic relief following weeks of heightened conflict.

The ongoing Islamabad consultations are expected to finalize key elements of the negotiation process, including the venue, structure, and enforcement mechanisms for guarantees.

Badr Abdelatty arrived in Islamabad on Saturday night and held discussions with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, focusing on bilateral ties and regional developments.

Meanwhile, Hakan Fidan also arrived, with Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud also expected to join the talks later in the day.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said the visiting dignitaries would engage in “in-depth discussions” on de-escalation efforts and broader regional stability, while also calling on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Diplomatic sources suggest that the four countries may collectively serve as guarantors in any future US-Iran agreement and could also participate directly in negotiations to ensure compliance.

- Pakistan’s active mediation role

In parallel diplomatic outreach, Ishaq Dar held a telephonic conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, emphasizing the urgency of de-escalation and the need to halt all hostilities.

“Dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable path for lasting peace,” Dar said, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to facilitating efforts aimed at restoring regional stability.

In a separate development seen as a confidence-building measure, Dar announced that Iran has agreed to allow 20 additional Pakistan-flagged ships to transit daily through the Strait of Hormuz -- a key global energy chokepoint -- calling it a “harbinger of peace.”

- Global energy crisis and war fallout

The diplomatic push comes against the backdrop of a widening regional conflict involving US and Israeli strikes on Iranian-linked targets, which has triggered instability across the Middle East and beyond.

The escalation has disrupted critical shipping lanes, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly a fifth of global oil supplies pass. The resulting uncertainty has driven up energy prices worldwide, exacerbating inflation and economic strain in both developed and developing economies.

Analysts warn that without urgent de-escalation, the crisis could deepen into a prolonged geopolitical confrontation with severe consequences for global energy security.

Amid the diplomatic activity, former US President Donald Trump — who remains a central figure in US policy direction — recently announced a temporary pause in attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure.

In a statement, Trump said the halt would last until April 6, allowing space for negotiations to proceed, while insisting that talks were “going very well” despite conflicting media reports.

The Islamabad meeting is increasingly being viewed as a moment in the evolving crisis. If successful, it could establish a rare multilateral framework bringing together key Muslim-majority powers to mediate between Tehran and Washington.

For Pakistan, the initiative underscores its growing diplomatic role as a bridge between competing regional and global interests — at a time when the stakes for peace, energy security, and economic stability have rarely been higher.