ISLAMABAD: The European Union (EU) and Australia have voiced their support for Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the war between the United States (US) and Iran, Pakistani authorities said on Monday.
The development came as Pakistan officials in the capital, Islamabad, prepared to host a second round of US-Iran talks this week after a first round on April 11 failed to produce a breakthrough in the war that began on Feb. 28.
Trump said Vice President JD Vance, his son-in-law Jared Kushner and envoy Steve Witkoff would be going in Islamabad on Monday, but the Iranians made no commitment to attend the negotiations amid a US naval blockade of Iranian ports.
Amid persisting tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, European Council President António Costa spokes with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and exchanged views on the current situation in the Middle East, with Pakistan premier shared latest updates on Pakistan’s peace efforts.
“President Costa expressed deep appreciation for Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting dialogue and stability in the region, and said that the EU was ready to support this process, in every possible manner,” Sharif’s office said.
“Both leaders stressed on the need to continue with dialogue and diplomacy to ensure lasting regional and global security.”
Separately, Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a telephonic conversation with his Australian counterpart Penny Wong, who expressed her appreciation for Pakistan’s constructive role in facilitating dialogue between Iran and United States, the Pakistani foreign ministry said.
“FM apprised her of #IslamabadTalks held on April 11-12, and reiterated Pakistan’s resolve to continue encouraging dialogue and constructive engagement,” the ministry said.
“The two leaders expressed concern over the broader implications on the global economy, particularly for developing countries, and emphasized the importance of peaceful resolution of conflicts.”
The development came as fears of a fragile ceasefire, reached between the US and Iran on April 8, collapsing increased after Washington continued its blockade of Iranian ports and an American destroyer seized an Iranian ship that tried to evade it on Sunday.
The escalating standoff has threatened to deepen the energy crisis roiling the global economy after nearly two months of fighting that Iran’s forensic chief says has killed at least 3,375 people in Iran.
Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Monday met the US and Iranian ambassadors to Islamabad, amid his government’s efforts to bring officials of both countries to the table.
“Pakistan advocates for resolving the Iran-USA dispute through negotiations,” Naqvi was quoted as saying after his meeting with Iran’s Ambassador Dr. Reza Amiri Moghadam. “The enduring solution to the conflict is the guarantor of the region’s stability and peace.”
Dar also spoke with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi over the phone on Monday.
“FM emphasized the importance of continued dialogue and engagement at the earliest to resolve all pending issues in order to promote regional peace and stability,” the Pakistani foreign ministry said. “Both agreed to remain closely engaged.”
