By The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan will host a high-stakes quadrilateral meeting of foreign ministers from Türkiye, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia on Monday to address escalating tensions in the Middle East and explore pathways for de-escalation, state media reported Saturday.

The meeting, to be chaired by Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, comes as Pakistan intensifies its diplomatic efforts to broker indirect talks between the United States and Iran, a breakthrough that regional sources say could materialize as early as next week.

Pakistan Television Global reported that the participating countries will discuss evolving regional developments and explore avenues for promoting stability. The meeting represents a significant diplomatic initiative, bringing together four influential Muslim nations with diverse relationships with both Washington and Tehran.

The development follows weeks of intensive shuttle diplomacy by Dar, who has held multiple telephone conversations with his Turkish, Saudi, and Egyptian counterparts over the past two weeks, coordinating positions and laying groundwork for Monday's discussions.

Earlier this week, Dar confirmed that Pakistan has been facilitating indirect communication between the United States and Iran.

"US-Iran indirect talks are taking place through messages being relayed by Pakistan," Dar said, marking the first official acknowledgment of Islamabad's behind-the-scenes role in defusing the conflict that has engulfed the Middle East since February 28.

According to diplomatic sources, the two sides have already exchanged positions through the Pakistani channel. The United States is expected to field a team likely led by Vice President JD Vance, while Iran's delegation is expected to be headed by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

While Islamabad has served as the primary avenue for indirect communication, diplomatic sources say the venue for potential face-to-face talks remains under discussion, with Islamabad and Istanbul both being considered.

Regardless of the final venue, sources emphasize that Pakistan has played a "very constructive role" in bringing both parties to the table, leveraging its unique position as a country with working relationships with both Washington and Tehran.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a televised address late Friday, confirmed Pakistan's intensifying diplomatic engagement.

"We are undertaking sincere and comprehensive diplomatic efforts to help bring the ongoing conflict to an end," Sharif said. "The objective is to create a pathway to lasting peace through collective wisdom and consultation."

Diplomatic sources suggest that Monday's quadrilateral meeting will be pivotal, with a breakthrough potentially within reach.

"Next week is very important. A breakthrough is likely to be expected as these mediator countries have intensified their efforts," a source told The South Asia Times.

Pakistan's emergence as a mediator in the US-Iran conflict represents a significant diplomatic opportunity for Islamabad. The country maintains close ties with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, has cultivated relations with Iran, and has historically served as a conduit between Washington and Tehran during previous periods of tension.

The current conflict erupted on February 28 when the US and Israel launched a large-scale attack on Iran, killing more than 1,300 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes across the region, while closing the Strait of Hormuz and pushing global oil prices to record highs.

- What to Watch

Monday's quadrilateral meeting will likely focus on:

• Coordinating positions among the four mediator nations

• Finalizing arrangements for potential US-Iran indirect or direct talks

• Developing a framework for de-escalation and ceasefire

• Addressing humanitarian concerns amid ongoing hostilities