No date fixed yet for fresh round of US–Iran talks, says FO

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday maintained strict confidentiality over ongoing backchannel diplomacy between the United States and Iran, as the Foreign Office confirmed that no dates have yet been finalised for the second round of talks.

Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi, addressing his weekly briefing, said discussions between Washington and Tehran were continuing, with nuclear issues among the key subjects under consideration.

Declining to disclose specifics, Andrabi stressed that Pakistan would not comment on the positions of either side, calling confidentiality a cornerstone of the trust placed in Islamabad by the negotiating parties. He urged the media to avoid speculation, noting that the process was proceeding with a high degree of secrecy and mutual confidence.

“It is essential for us to keep the negotiations confidential,” he said, adding that decisions regarding the timing, composition, and movement of delegations rested solely with the parties involved.

He reiterated that Pakistan’s role as a mediator and facilitator remained active beyond the Islamabad round of talks, underscoring that diplomatic engagement was ongoing at multiple levels.

Highlighting regional dynamics, Andrabi said stability in Lebanon was crucial for the broader US-Iran dialogue, expressing cautious optimism over recent improvements along the Israeli-Lebanon front.

Pakistan’s leadership has intensified diplomatic outreach to revive negotiations after the Islamabad talks over the weekend ended without a breakthrough. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is currently on a multi-country visit to Riyadh, Doha, and Istanbul, while Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir is leading a high-level delegation in Tehran.

The fragile two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran, brokered earlier this month, is set to expire soon, raising concerns about a potential escalation if talks do not resume promptly.

Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump indicated that negotiations could restart within days and suggested Pakistan as a possible venue. Iranian officials have also confirmed continued exchanges via Islamabad, describing recent high-level visits as a continuation of earlier discussions.

Reflecting on Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts, Andrabi said the country had been widely recognised for its constructive role in de-escalation and peacebuilding. He noted that sustained engagement with both Washington and Tehran had helped facilitate dialogue and create space for meaningful negotiations.

He added that close partners including China and Saudi Arabia were supportive of Pakistan’s mediation efforts, describing them as trusted stakeholders in the peace process.

Providing insight into the Islamabad talks held earlier, Andrabi revealed that negotiations spanned over 21 hours of direct engagement, extending to nearly 30 hours when accounting for breaks and logistical movements. He termed the process “intensive and extensive” in both scope and duration.

The spokesperson emphasised that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, with active involvement from senior civil and military leadership, Pakistan had maintained open communication channels with all parties, reflecting its commitment to dialogue-driven diplomacy.

Separately, Andrabi dismissed speculation regarding Pakistan’s ties with the United Arab Emirates following the decision to return a $3.5 billion loan. He described the UAE as a trusted and brotherly partner, clarifying that the repayment plan had been under discussion well before the recent US-Iran tensions and should not be linked to the ongoing conflict.