Rubio lauds Pakistan’s ‘mediatory efforts’ as Dar meets US top diplomat amid Iran talks progress

• US Secretary of State acknowledges Islamabad’s diplomatic role in regional peace efforts

• Dar, Marco Rubio review evolving regional and global geopolitical situation as Washington-Tehran negotiations reportedly move closer to potential understanding

• Trump outlines key conditions for possible Iran deal, including nuclear and Strait of Hormuz terms

• Both sides agree to deepen Pak-US cooperation in trade, security and counterterrorism

• US State Department praises Pakistan’s role in advancing peace vision and regional stability efforts

• Iran's top diplomat says reaching a deal with US to end war depends on Washington dropping its ‘excessive demands’

 WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD/TEHRAN: United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday acknowledged Pakistan’s “sincere diplomatic and mediatory efforts” for peace and stability in the region during a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in Washington, as diplomatic talks between Washington and Tehran "appeared to move closer to a potential understanding."

The meeting took place amid US President Donald Trump’s statement on Friday announcing an end to the country’s naval blockade of Iran, saying he would convene a meeting in the White House Situation Room to take a final decision on a possible agreement with Tehran.

In a social media post, the US president outlined key elements of a potential deal, stating that Iran would be required to refrain from developing a nuclear weapon, the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened, sea mines would be removed, the US blockade on Iran would be lifted, and highly enriched uranium would be removed and destroyed by the United States.

“No money will be exchanged, until further notice. Other items, of far less importance, have been agreed to. I will be meeting now, in the Situation Room, to make a final determination,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

pic.twitter.com/kTepK9K1Lh

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 29, 2026

A senior Iranian source told Reuters that a political understanding over the war had been reached but was yet to be finalised.

Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency, citing sources, said there was a “mixture of truth and falsehood” in Trump’s comments, calling them an “attempt to portray a fabricated victory.”

No final understanding has been reached between Iran and the US so far, according to Tasnim News Agency.

According to the report, Trump's post follows his usual pattern of one-sided, self-aggrandizing statements. pic.twitter.com/bRDZfjGT7K

— Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) May 29, 2026

The agency further reported that after the US lifts its blockade on Iranian ships, the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened under Tehran’s arrangements. It also stated that there was no provision to destroy nuclear materials in the draft understanding, though an agreement had been reached on releasing $12 billion in Iran’s frozen assets.

Dar, Rubio exchange views on evolving regional and global situation

According to a statement issued by Pakistan’s Foreign Office, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar held a bilateral meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington DC.

The Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 held a bilateral meeting today with the U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio @SecRubio in Washington D.C.

The two leaders expressed satisfaction over the positive momentum in the Pak-U.S.… pic.twitter.com/s3n4bCeQjh

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) May 29, 2026

“The two leaders expressed satisfaction over the positive momentum in Pak-US bilateral relations and exchanged views on the evolving regional and global situation,” the statement said.

It added that Secretary Rubio acknowledged Pakistan’s “sincere diplomatic and mediatory efforts for peace and stability in the region and beyond.”

Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including trade and investment, security and counterterrorism.

“The two leaders agreed to advance the Pak-US partnership, propelled by high-level exchanges and shared interests in regional peace, security and prosperity,” it added.

Later, in a post on X, Secretary Rubio thanked Deputy Prime Minister Dar for Pakistan’s role in advancing peace in the Middle East.

Met with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister @MIshaqDar50 and thanked him for the role Pakistan continues to play in advancing peace in the Middle East. We agreed upon the importance of working together to further strengthen a meaningful partnership for better… pic.twitter.com/AavTAxBvAd

— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) May 29, 2026

“We agreed upon the importance of working together to further strengthen a meaningful partnership for better security and more prosperity for our two nations,” Rubio said.

The US State Department also said Rubio appreciated the “constructive role Pakistan continues to play in realising President Trump’s vision for peace in the Middle East and its mediation efforts with Iran.”

It added that both sides agreed on the importance of strengthening a partnership that fosters security and prosperity for both nations.

The State Department further noted that Rubio expressed condolences over the victims of the recent Balochistan Liberation Army terrorist attack in Quetta.

  Arrival in Washington DC after UN engagements

Earlier, DPM/FM Ishaq Dar arrived in Washington, DC, after concluding his engagements at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office (FO), the foreign minister was received by Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, along with senior officials of the Embassy of Pakistan upon his arrival.

Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 arrived in Washington, D.C. on an official visit.

Upon his arrival, he was received by Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, along with senior officials of the… pic.twitter.com/6qYOZ8oi8i

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) May 29, 2026

The FO said that following the completion of his engagements, the foreign minister would return to Islamabad later the same day.

Earlier, the Foreign Office stated that discussions during the visit would focus on strengthening cooperation in key sectors, as well as Pakistan’s efforts to promote regional peace and stability through “dialogue and diplomacy”.

Dar’s Washington visit comes immediately after a series of high-level engagements at the United Nations headquarters in New York, where he participated in an open debate of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) held under China’s presidency.

 Call for restraint and de-escalation in the Middle East

Addressing the UNSC session on Tuesday, Dar called for restraint and de-escalation in the Middle East, warning that any prolonged conflict would further endanger regional peace and strain the fragile international order.

During the open debate, he stressed that the principle of peaceful settlement must be applied equally to all long-standing disputes on the Security Council’s agenda, including emerging crises in the region.

“The entire world is watching. We must succeed in the interest of regional and global peace and security,” he told the 15-member Council. “As a friendly neighbour of Iran and brotherly countries of the Gulf, Pakistan has consistently stood for restraint, de-escalation and a return to diplomacy.”

During his stay in New York, Dar also held meetings with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and other senior diplomats, where discussions covered regional conflicts, Afghanistan, Palestine, South Asia and reform of the UN Security Council. Pakistan reiterated its support for strengthened multilateral cooperation and reforms in global governance institutions.

The foreign minister’s visit underscores continued momentum in Pakistan-US diplomatic engagement at a time when Islamabad is playing a more visible role in regional diplomacy, particularly regarding ongoing indirect contacts between Washington and Tehran.

Recent international reports have highlighted Pakistan’s role in facilitating communication channels aimed at reducing tensions between the two sides.

Pakistan-US relations have witnessed renewed engagement in recent months, with cooperation expanding beyond traditional security domains into diplomacy, regional stability and economic coordination. Washington has also increasingly acknowledged Islamabad’s role in mediation efforts linked to Middle East developments, while both countries continue discussions on trade, energy cooperation and broader regional security issues.

The visit comes amid ongoing diplomatic engagement between Islamabad and Washington on regional security and bilateral cooperation. According to the FO statement, Dar will return to Islamabad later the same day after completing his official engagements.

 Deal with US to end war depends on Washington dropping its ‘excessive demands’: Araghchi

Meanwhile, Iran's top diplomat Abbas Araghchi told his Omani counterpart that reaching a deal with the US to end the Middle East war depended on Washington dropping its "excessive demands", Tehran's foreign ministry.

In very productive call with FM @badralbusaidi, expressed Iran's solidarity with Oman in face of any threat.

We discussed Hormuz and its future administration in line with our sovereign responsibilities and international law.
We welcome consultation with all neighboring states. pic.twitter.com/MB6EVYNkNn

— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) May 29, 2026

"The Iranian minister of foreign affairs ... indicated that arriving at a final agreement depended on ending the American party's attitude based on excessive demands and shifting and contradictory positions," the ministry said in a summary of a call between the ministers.

Iranian action in Strait of Hormuz 'lawful and consistent with international law': UN envoy

Iranian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, said on Thursday the actions of the Islamic Republic in the Strait of Hormuz are "lawful and consistent with international law."

Iravani made the remarks on Thursday before the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), high-level open debate titled “Upholding the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter and Strengthening the UN-Centered International System.”

He said that Iran "could not allow such a critical waterway to be used as a corridor for hostile actions and military aggression against its sovereignty, territory, and vital interests."