US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday lauded Pakistan’s contributions toward fostering peace in the Middle East amid rising optimism about a potential agreement between Washington and Tehran. The commendation came following his meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in Washington.
Rubio expressed gratitude to Dar for Pakistan’s ongoing role in promoting peace in the region. He emphasized the mutual commitment to enhancing a meaningful partnership aimed at improving security and prosperity for both nations, sharing these sentiments on his official social media platform.
Meanwhile, shortly before Dar’s engagement with Rubio, US President Donald Trump announced plans to convene in the White House Situation Room to finalize a decision regarding a deal with Iran. On his social media, Trump outlined key conditions for the agreement, including Iran’s commitment to forgo nuclear weapon development, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, removal of sea mines, lifting the US blockade on Iran, and the US dismantling Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium. He clarified that no financial transactions would occur until further notice, with other less critical issues already settled.
At a press briefing held at Pakistan’s embassy in Washington, Deputy Prime Minister Dar described the meeting with Rubio as conducted in a cordial atmosphere, attended by Pakistan’s ambassador and senior Foreign Office officials. Dar highlighted Pakistan’s facilitative role in brokering ceasefires between the United States and Iran, noting that Islamabad helped establish conditions for direct dialogue between the two countries. He credited Pakistan’s efforts for enabling the initial ceasefire and the most recent truce.
Dar further remarked that Pakistan has acquired a renewed global identity under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Field Marshal Asim Munir. His comments coincide with Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic initiatives involving regional and international stakeholders aimed at resolving the Middle East conflict.
Earlier statements from the Foreign Office indicated that both Dar and Rubio expressed satisfaction with the positive trajectory of bilateral relations. They exchanged perspectives on the evolving regional and global landscape during their discussions.
The Foreign Office noted that Secretary Rubio recognized Pakistan’s sincere diplomatic and mediation efforts to promote peace and stability within the region and beyond. Both leaders agreed to deepen cooperation across various sectors of mutual interest, including trade, investment, security, and counterterrorism.
They reaffirmed their dedication to advancing the Pakistan-US partnership through sustained high-level engagement, sharing common objectives for regional peace, security, and economic prosperity.
