Dar meets Rubio in Washington as Pakistan pushes Iran-US peace efforts

-- Pakistan pushes dialogue and regional stability through diplomatic engagements

-- Washington, Tehran edge closer to ceasefire extension and nuclear talks

-- FO says Dar's visit reflects commitment to stronger Pakistan-US partnership

WASHINGTON: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday held talks with US Secretary of State and National Security Adviser Marco Rubio in Washington, as Pakistan intensified diplomatic efforts aimed at facilitating a peace agreement between the United States and Iran.

The two leaders participated in a photo opportunity ahead of their meeting, while a joint statement was expected later in the day. Dar was also scheduled to address a press conference following the talks.

According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, the deputy prime minister arrived in Washington earlier in the day after concluding a three-day visit to New York, where he attended meetings linked to the United Nations.

Upon arrival, Dar was received by Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Rizwan Saeed Sheikh along with senior officials of the Pakistani embassy.

The Foreign Office said the meeting between Dar and Rubio focused on reviewing bilateral relations and exchanging views on regional and global developments of mutual interest.

“The discussions will also focus on strengthening cooperation in key priority sectors, as well as Pakistan’s efforts to promote regional peace and stability through dialogue and diplomacy,” the Foreign Office stated.

It added that the visit reflected Pakistan’s commitment to further deepening its longstanding and broad-based partnership with the United States.

Dar is expected to return to Islamabad later on Friday after completing his engagements in Washington.

The visit comes at a critical time as diplomatic efforts continue to secure a peace arrangement aimed at ending the US-Israeli conflict with Iran.

US Vice President JD Vance recently stated that Washington and Tehran were “close” to reaching a deal, although negotiations had not yet been finalized.

American media reports suggested that US and Iranian negotiators had moved closer to an agreement to extend the fragile ceasefire for 60 days.

According to reports citing US officials, the proposed understanding still awaited approval from President Donald Trump.

US sources confirmed reports by Axios that both sides had agreed on a memorandum of understanding aimed at prolonging the ceasefire and initiating negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme.

Under the proposed framework, commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz would remain unrestricted, mines placed in the waterway would be removed within 30 days, and the US would ease its naval blockade provided maritime traffic resumed normally.

However, Iran’s Tasnim news agency, quoting a source close to Tehran’s negotiating team, stated that the agreement had not yet been finalized and that Pakistan would be informed if a formal deal was reached.

Iranian sources also stressed that any final agreement would only be considered official once announced by Tehran itself, rather than through unilateral statements from Washington.