ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said on Thursday it expected the United States and Iran to reach an agreement “sooner rather than later,” signaling growing optimism that diplomacy could end months of conflict that has disrupted energy markets, rattled global markets and heightened fears of wider regional escalation.
The comments came as Islamabad has increasingly positioned itself as a facilitator between Washington and Tehran after hosting direct talks between the two sides in April that ended without a deal but helped secure an extension in an earlier ceasefire between the parties. Outside of direct talks, Islamabad has also passed messages between the two sides to facilitate the dialogue process.
The conflict has fueled concerns over security in the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes, raising fears of supply disruptions, higher energy prices and broader economic fallout.
“We remain optimistic, and I think a simple answer would be that we expect an agreement sooner rather than later,” Foreign Office spokesman Tahir Andrabi told reporters during a weekly briefing in Islamabad.
“We hope that the parties will come to a peaceful, sustainable solution and bring peace to our region and international peace as well.”
On Wednesday, media reported that the US and Iran were closing in on a one-page memo to end their war.
Asked during Thursday’s briefing about the reports, Andrabi declined to comment on the substance of any draft document.
“Look, I do not know whether it is a one-page document or a two-page document,” he said. “That would depend on the parties involved as well.”
US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday a deal with Iran was “very possible” after what he described as “very good talks” over the previous 24 hours.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei also said on Wednesday Tehran was reviewing a US proposal aimed at ending the conflict and would communicate its position through mediator Pakistan.
Separately, Andrabi said Pakistan remained engaged in efforts to secure the release of Pakistani nationals held by Somali pirates, though there had been no major breakthrough so far.
“There has been no change in the situation, efforts are ongoing to ensure their release,” he said.
Pakistan’s embassy in Tripoli, which is concurrently accredited to Somalia, remained in regular contact with Somali authorities, Andrabi said, adding that officials had assured Islamabad they were “actively negotiating with the pirates for the release of all detained individuals.”
