Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Tuesday that Pakistan is “ready and honoured” to host talks between the United States and Iran, offering Islamabad as a venue for what he described as “meaningful and conclusive” negotiations to end the ongoing Middle East conflict.

In a post on X, Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan “fully supports” diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis and would facilitate talks “subject to concurrence” by both Washington and Tehran. He tagged Donald Trump, Abbas Araghchi, and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. Trump later shared the statement on his Truth Social platform, signalling openness to the idea amid ongoing backchannel contacts.

Pakistan welcomes and fully supports ongoing efforts to pursue dialogue to end the WAR in Middle East, in the interest of peace and stability in region and beyond. Subject to concurrence by the US and Iran, Pakistan stands ready and honoured to be the host to facilitate… — Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) March 24, 2026

Pakistan welcomes and fully supports ongoing efforts to pursue dialogue to end the WAR in Middle East, in the interest of peace and stability in region and beyond. Subject to concurrence by the US and Iran, Pakistan stands ready and honoured to be the host to facilitate…

The offer comes as Pakistan has emerged as a key intermediary in quiet diplomacy aimed at de-escalating a conflict that entered its fourth week. The war began on February 28, when US and Israeli strikes targeted Iran, including an attack that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, dramatically escalating regional tensions.

According to officials, Pakistan—alongside Türkiye and Egypt—has been actively relaying messages between US and Iranian interlocutors. These efforts contributed to a limited, conditional pause in planned US strikes on Iranian energy and power infrastructure, announced by Trump on Monday following what he described as “very good and productive” conversations with Tehran.

Despite these developments, Iran has publicly denied engaging in direct or indirect negotiations with the US, maintaining that any resolution must include guarantees against future attacks, reparations, and recognition of its strategic rights. Iranian officials have also framed US statements about talks as attempts to influence global markets.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office urged caution, with spokesperson Tahir Andrabi advising media to avoid speculation and await official announcements, noting that diplomacy often requires discretion. He reiterated that Islamabad remains committed to resolving the conflict through dialogue and has consistently supported peaceful engagement.

The backchannel discussions have reportedly focused not only on an immediate ceasefire but also on broader issues, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz and negotiating a comprehensive settlement framework. While no direct US-Iran contact has been confirmed, officials say indirect exchanges have helped create space for de-escalation.

Shehbaz Sharif also spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, emphasising the urgency of reducing hostilities and the need for collective efforts toward peace, as Pakistan positions itself for a more visible diplomatic role in the crisis.

© Naya Daur