Pakistan, Egypt, Turkiye engaged in ‘back-channel diplomacy’ for US-Iran de-escalation: report

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan, along with Turkiye and Egypt, is engaged in “active back-channel diplomacy” to “bridge the gap between” the US and Iran, an official confirmed to Dawn on Monday.

The official said that through “active back-channel diplomacy”, involving US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Pakistan, Turkiye and Egypt were engaged in “quiet communication” to restore peace.

The source said a “strategic synergy” between Ankara, Cairo and Islamabad had established a “vital diplomatic conduit, demonstrating that regional cooperation is the most effective antidote to escalation”.

This “mediation effort” was more than just crisis management, the source said, adding that there were reports of tangible progress toward resolving outstanding issues and finding a sustainable end to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The development has emerged after US President Donald Trump said he had given orders to postpone any military strikes against Iranian power plants for five days, hours ahead of a deadline that threatened further escalation in the conflict, and claimed Washington and Tehran had held “very good and constructive” talks over the past two days.

While Iran has denied holding any talks with the US in the last 24 hours, its foreign ministry has admitted receiving messages from “friendly countries” that it said indicated requests for talks by the US.

The ministry maintained that it had not responded to the messages.

For their part, the official said that Pakistan’s efforts are a reaffirmation of its role as a “net regional stabiliser” and Islamabad leveraging its “unique diplomatic position” to shift the focus from confrontation toward meaningful dialogue.

The source also referred to reports of progress made in mediatory efforts, adding that diplomatic efforts by Turkiye, Egypt and Pakistan offered the world a “roadmap for steering away from conflict and toward a safer future”.

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has now entered its fourth week. It began with the US and Israel launching attacks on Iran, triggering a conflict that has expanded to the rest of the Middle East and the impact of which is being felt elsewhere, too, amid a global fuel crunch.

On the first day of attacks on Iran, the strikes also resulted in the assassination of then-supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

During the war, Gulf countries have also come under attack, and while Tehran accepts responsibility for some of the retaliatory attacks targeting US bases and assets in those countries, it denies having a role in others.

Dar leads diplomatic push to de-escalate Middle East tensions

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday underscored the need for sustained diplomatic engagement and collective efforts to de-escalate tensions and ensure peace in the Middle East during separate calls with his Turkish and Iraqi counterparts.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on X, Dar spoke with Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on the evolving regional situation following recent US and Israeli strikes on Iran.

“Both leaders reviewed the latest developments in the region, including the recent announcement by the US president regarding a temporary halt in hostilities,” the statement said.

It added that Dar emphasised the importance of continued diplomatic engagement to ensure peace and stability in the region and beyond.

Earlier, Dar also held a telephone conversation with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein to discuss the prevailing situation.

“Both leaders expressed deep concern over the ongoing regional escalation and its wider implications,” the statement said.

The Foreign Office said Dar highlighted the need for collective efforts to de-escalate tensions and prevent further instability, stressing that dialogue and adherence to international law remain essential for ensuring peace, security, and stability.

The two leaders also exchanged Eid greetings, the ministry added.