Pakistan says it is committed to diplomacy after high-level meetings with Iranian officials

Pakistan reiterated Wednesday its desire to resolve the unfolding crisis in the Middle East through diplomacy after several high-stakes meetings with Iranian officials this week.

Pakistani Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi told a press conference that his country is working hard to bring the U.S. and Iran to the negotiating table despite their wide differences.

“Pakistan remains engaged alongside our brotherly states in sincere efforts to resolve the crisis in the Middle East and the Gulf. Pakistan is making all-out efforts to bring the two parties to the negotiating table and pave the way for peace and stability in the region,” Mr. Andrabi said. “Pakistan will continue to offset spoilers using direct and indirect channels and enable continuation of constructive dialogue to resolve all outstanding issues. And in the context of our peace efforts.”

Pakistan has emerged as the main diplomatic mediator in the Iran war, with its diplomats carrying proposals between Washington and Tehran for months.

The comments come after Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met Tuesday with Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister Abbas Araghchi in Tehran to discuss bilateral ties and peace efforts.

The meeting was one of several in recent months as Pakistan looks to revive the now-defunct Islamabad memorandum of understanding, which established a ceasefire in the region and a framework for peace talks.

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Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam also met Wednesday with Pakistani Foreign Affairs Minister Ishaq Dar, who stressed that “dialogue and diplomacy remain the only effective means of addressing outstanding issues,” according to a readout from the ministry.