By The South Asia Times

ISTANBUL - Pakistan, Türkiye, Egypt and Saudi Arabia joined France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom in calling for diplomatic efforts to resolve regional conflicts, amid escalating tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran and growing concerns over maritime security.

Foreign ministers from the eight countries met in Istanbul on October 23, discussing the US-Israel conflict with Iran, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia and Yemen, and threats to freedom of navigation in key maritime routes, according to a joint press release issued by Pakistan's Foreign Ministry on Saturday.

The meeting brought together the foreign ministers of the four-nation R4 group -- Türkiye, Egypt, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia -- and their counterparts from four major European powers.

The ministers stressed the urgent need to address regional conflicts through dialogue, diplomacy and de-escalation, emphasizing that lasting solutions to outstanding disputes should be negotiated in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions.

They also pledged to continue diplomatic efforts to promote peace and stability, while addressing the security, economic and trade consequences of regional conflicts.

- Palestinian statehood and Gaza

In a separate statement issued after the R4 meeting, the four countries described Israel's occupation as a fundamental source of instability in the region and beyond.

They called for the implementation of a two-state solution based on relevant UN resolutions, supporting the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state along the pre-June 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The ministers also called for an end to Israeli violence in Palestine and condemned settlement activities in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem, as well as violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.

They stressed the need for uninterrupted humanitarian assistance to Gaza and reconstruction efforts to address the devastation caused by the conflict.

- Condemnation of Houthi attacks

The R4 countries strongly condemned Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, particularly those targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, as well as attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

They expressed solidarity with the Saudi government and Yemen's internationally recognized government, calling on the Houthi movement to immediately halt military operations, threats and attacks and return to the political process in good faith.

The issue was also discussed during the broader meeting involving the four European countries, reflecting concerns about the regional security implications of the attacks.

- Strait of Hormuz and maritime security

The ministers highlighted the importance of protecting freedom of navigation and ensuring safe passage through strategic waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb and the Black Sea.

They warned that disruptions to maritime routes could affect global supply chains and the movement of energy, fertilizer and food, with potentially severe consequences for vulnerable populations in the Middle East and beyond.

The R4 countries rejected measures or restrictions that undermine lawful navigation and called for the swift and full restoration of safe, secure and unimpeded passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

Regarding the military conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, they called for a diplomatic resolution, stressing that civilians, civilian infrastructure and vessels must not be targeted.

The ministers also expressed support for the Islamabad memorandum of understanding (MoU) and welcomed ongoing diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation.

- Continued diplomatic engagement

The eight countries agreed to maintain dialogue in the expanded format to help prevent conflicts and advance regional and international peace and stability.

The R4 ministers separately committed to close consultation and coordination on the issues discussed at their meeting.

The discussions come amid heightened regional tensions and growing international concern over the impact of conflicts on maritime security, global trade and economic stability.