ISLAMABAD: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio thanked Pakistan on Friday for its role in advancing peace efforts in the Middle East and said Washington wanted to further strengthen a “meaningful partnership” with Islamabad following talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
Rubio’s remarks came as Pakistan continues diplomatic efforts to help mediate an end to the US-Iran conflict, with negotiations over a possible ceasefire extension and broader peace framework still under discussion.
“Met with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister @MIshaqDar50 and thanked him for the role Pakistan continues to play in advancing peace in the Middle East,” Rubio wrote on X after meeting Dar in Washington.
“We agreed upon the importance of working together to further strengthen a meaningful partnership for better security and more prosperity for our two nations.”
Pakistan has emerged as a key intermediary between the United States and Iran since the outbreak of the war in February, hosting rare direct talks between the two sides in Islamabad in April and maintaining contacts with regional and international stakeholders in support of negotiations.
According to Pakistan’s foreign ministry, Rubio and Dar expressed satisfaction over the positive momentum in bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and global developments.
“Secretary Rubio acknowledged Pakistan’s sincere diplomatic and mediatory efforts for peace and stability in the region and beyond,” the foreign office in Islamabad said in a statement.
The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including trade and investment, security and counterterrorism, and to advance the Pakistan-US partnership through high-level exchanges.
The talks came as US President Donald Trump said on Friday he was making a “final” determination on whether to approve a potential agreement, while Iranian media reported that the text of a proposed memorandum of understanding had not yet been finalized.
Dar arrived in Washington earlier on Friday and is expected to return to Islamabad after concluding his engagements.
