Islamabad, April 20: Ishaq Dar spoke by telephone on Monday with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, urging continued dialogue and diplomatic engagement amid uncertainty over the next round of US–Iran talks.
According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, Dar stressed the importance of early and sustained negotiations to resolve pending issues and reduce rising regional tensions.
He reiterated that dialogue and engagement remain essential for promoting peace and stability in the region. Both ministers agreed to stay in close contact as developments unfold.
Iranian media reported that the two sides also discussed broader regional developments and ceasefire-related matters, reflecting ongoing coordination between Islamabad and Tehran.
The conversation comes at a sensitive time, as uncertainty continues over whether the second round of US–Iran talks will take place. A temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran is set to expire on Wednesday, increasing diplomatic pressure.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei has said Tehran has not yet decided whether it will attend the next round of negotiations with Washington.
In a separate diplomatic contact, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong praised Pakistan’s “constructive role” in facilitating dialogue and supporting diplomatic engagement in the region. She commended Islamabad’s continued commitment to peaceful conflict resolution.
Dar briefed Wong on the recent Islamabad Talks held on April 11–12, reaffirming Pakistan’s resolve to promote constructive engagement among regional and international partners. Both leaders expressed concern over the broader global economic impact of instability, particularly for developing countries vulnerable to energy price shocks and disrupted trade flows.
They emphasized that peaceful resolution of conflicts is vital for both regional stability and global economic security, especially as tensions involving Iran, the United States, and other regional actors continue to shape an uncertain geopolitical environment. (PTI)
