Key facts
- Pakistan's foreign ministry stated that its leaders are engaged in mediation efforts between the US and Iran.
- The ministry acknowledged a recent surge in conflict and expressed hope for a negotiated settlement.
- The US launched new strikes against Iran, which retaliated.
- US leaders accused Iran of delaying negotiations for a deal to end the three-month war.
- Pakistan's interior minister recently visited Tehran to deliver a message to Iranian leadership.
Pakistan's foreign ministry announced on Thursday that the country's leaders remain engaged in mediation efforts to resolve the conflict between the United States and Iran, despite a recent escalation in hostilities. The ministry called for a "negotiated settlement" to contentious issues.
"It is hard to be an optimist in the new exchange of hostilities. We haven't lost hope, we remain engaged," stated foreign ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi. He urged that Pakistan's mediation approach should not be dismissed.
The United States launched fresh attacks against Iran on Thursday, leading to retaliation from Tehran. US leaders accused Iran of prolonging negotiations for a deal to end the three-month war. Pakistan's interior minister recently returned from a visit to Tehran, where he delivered a message and letter from the prime minister to the Iranian leadership as part of the ongoing mediation efforts.