ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United Kingdom on Wednesday emphasized dialogue and diplomacy to ease regional tensions, as uncertainty persists over planned US-Iran talks in Islamabad and security risks mount in the Strait of Hormuz.
The message came during a meeting between Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and British High Commissioner Jane Marriott, as Islamabad continues efforts to facilitate negotiations between Washington and Tehran following a temporary halt in hostilities.
The ceasefire, extended last night by US President Donald Trump, has created a narrow opening for diplomacy, though Iran has yet to confirm participation in a second round of talks expected in Islamabad.
“Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 received British High Commissioner Jane Marriott @JaneMariottUK today,” the foreign office said in a brief statement.
“They discussed the evolving regional situation,” it added. “DPM/FM underscored Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to facilitate engagement and emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in peaceful resolution of disputes.”
The statement said the British envoy appreciated and supported Pakistan’s facilitative role in bringing the US and Iran to the negotiating table.
The meeting came as efforts to bring Washington and Tehran back to the table faced fresh uncertainty following reports of attacks on two ships in the Strait of Hormuz, with the British military confirming the incidents even as Iran maintained it was enforcing maritime warnings.
The situation comes as military officials from more than 30 countries are due to meet in London to draw up options for a potential naval mission, led by Britain and France, to protect commercial shipping through the strategic waterway.
