A war imposed, a peace shaped by Riyadh and Islamabad

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The Islamabad meeting of the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Turkiye and Egypt has now produced a clear and consequential outcome: Pakistan has been firmly established as the principal venue for potential US-Iran talks, with both sides expressing confidence in its facilitation.

This ministerial quad reflects a consolidation of trust around a single channel at a time when the conflict has expanded beyond initial theaters, now stretching from the Gulf into the Red Sea, and increasingly affecting global shipping lanes and energy flows.

This outcome builds directly on the earlier Riyadh consultations held on March 18, where foreign ministers from over a dozen Arab and Muslim countries issued a unified position condemning attacks on civilian infrastructure, including energy facilities, airports and desalination plants, and called for adherence to international law and immediate de-escalation.

The Islamabad meeting reinforces that same direction, reflecting a coordinated diplomatic process in which engagement is continuous and structured through active channels.

The most consequential element of the Islamabad outcome is the confirmation that both Washington and Tehran are prepared to engage through a Pakistan-facilitated process.

In a conflict marked by deep mistrust, the emergence of a mutually accepted venue is strategically significant. It creates a channel through which proposals — including earlier frameworks involving de-escalation steps, limits on missile activity and sequencing of commitments — can be exchanged and tested.

The fact that this process is supported by regional actors and backed by international stakeholders, including China and the UN, enhances its credibility at a critical juncture.

Pakistan’s ability to secure this level of confidence is rooted in sustained and balanced diplomacy. Islamabad has maintained engagement with Washington, Tehran, Riyadh and Beijing simultaneously, allowing it to transmit proposals, manage........

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