Pak Representative Will Attend Iran-US Talks in Istanbul on Coming Friday

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani representatives will attend the Iran-US talks aimed at de-escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf region after Pakistan was formally invited to take part in the talks scheduled to be held in Turkiye on coming Friday.

The Foreign Office Spokesman early on Tuesday confirmed that the Pakistan government has formally received an invitation to be part of the talks between Tehran and Washington.

“Pakistan has received the invitation for the upcoming talks between Iran and the United States,” FO Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi told media in Islamabad.

Pakistanis have been quietly working to bring Washington and Tehran to the negotiating table after war clouds started hovering over the Persian Gulf region early last week. US President Donald Trump has sent USS Abraham Lincoln led strike group to the Persian Gulf amid worsening political situation in Iran, where violent protests have gripped the country.

President Trump had earlier consulted Pakistan’s political and military leaders over the Iran situation while Iran and Israel were lobbing missiles and drones at each other.

Pakistani officials said that Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar would represent Pakistan in Washington-Tehran talks which are aimed at de-escalating the military and political tensions between two countries.

Diplomats in Islamabad are optimistic that Tehran-Washington talks are expected to be held in Turkiya on coming Friday. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was expected to meet with US envoy Steve Witkoff in Istanbul to discuss a possible deal on the nuclear issue.

There are few other Middle Eastern countries which have been invited to the talks.  The foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will participate in the talks.

Trump has maintained he is hopeful that Washington will “work something out” with Iran, but also warned on Monday that “bad things would happen” if no deal is reached.

The Iranian foreign minister has been quoted by American media as saying “President Trump said no nuclear weapons, and we fully agree. We fully agree with that. That could be a very good deal.”

Washington is entering the talks with the objective for zero uranium enrichment, strict limits on ballistic missiles, and an end to Iran’s support for regional proxies. On the other hand Tehran is seeking immediate relief from economic sanctions and insists on “dignity-based diplomacy” without coercion.
Reports in the international media claim that Iran may be willing to suspend uranium enrichment or ship highly enriched stocks abroad in exchange for sanctions relief.  The talks occur against a backdrop of U.S. military buildup in the region and President Trump’s warnings that “bad things” may happen if a deal is not reached.

Pakistan, Qatar, Turkiye and Oman have been actively advocating for de-escalation of tensions in the region after both Washington and Tehran issued aggressive statements about their military intentions. Especially after the American President sent USS Abraham Aircraft carrier to the Persian Gulf in a threatening move to intimidate the clergy led regime in Tehran.

Iranian officials including Supreme leader Ali Khomeini vowed to target American interests in the region if Iranian territory comes under attacks from US military forces in the region.