By The South Asia Times 

ISLAMABAD- Pakistan has confirmed it will host high-stakes talks between the United States and Iran, in what could mark a significant diplomatic breakthrough amid escalating tensions across the Middle East.

Speaking at a press conference following a quadrilateral meeting in Islamabad, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced that Pakistan had agreed to facilitate dialogue between Washington and Tehran, with preparations already underway for the talks in the capital.

“Pakistan will host and facilitate talks between the United States and Iran,” Dar said. “We believe dialogue is the only viable path forward to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the region.”

The announcement comes after a series of high-level meetings involving regional powers, including Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, as Islamabad intensifies its diplomatic outreach to contain a widening crisis that has affected several countries.

Dar stressed that Pakistan’s role would remain that of a neutral facilitator, focused on creating an environment conducive to constructive engagement. “Our objective is not to mediate outcomes but to provide a platform where both sides can engage in meaningful and result-oriented discussions,” he said.

He added that the timing and modalities of the talks were being finalized in consultation with both parties. “We are in close contact with all stakeholders. There is a growing realization that continued confrontation will only lead to further loss of lives and economic damage,” Dar noted.

The foreign minister underscored that Pakistan’s efforts were part of a broader push, coordinated with key regional actors, to bring an urgent end to hostilities that have intensified in recent weeks. “The situation demands collective responsibility. We are working with brotherly countries to support every effort that leads to peace,” he said.

Diplomatic sources indicate that Islamabad has emerged as a mutually acceptable venue for both Washington and Tehran, owing to Pakistan’s longstanding ties with Iran and its working relationship with the United States.

The development follows a flurry of diplomatic engagements in Islamabad, where foreign ministers from multiple countries gathered to discuss pathways to de-escalation and explore mechanisms for initiating direct or indirect talks between the two adversaries.

Pakistan’s leadership has repeatedly emphasized the risks of further escalation, warning that continued conflict could destabilize not only the Gulf region but also broader international security and energy markets.

“We cannot afford another prolonged conflict in this region,” Dar said. “The world is already facing multiple crises, and escalation in the Middle East will have far-reaching consequences.”

While no official date has been announced, officials suggest the talks could take place within days, depending on final confirmations from both sides.

If realized, the Islamabad talks would represent one of the most significant diplomatic engagements between the United States and Iran in recent years, with Pakistan positioning itself at the center of efforts to defuse one of the world’s most volatile geopolitical flashpoints.