Pakistan hosts four-nation talks as push intensifies for Iran war de-escalation

PAKISTAN is set to host a high-level diplomatic meeting with Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt, as efforts intensify to contain the escalating conflict involving Iran and explore a pathway towards negotiations with the United States.

Reuters reported on Saturday that the two-day talks in Islamabad, beginning Sunday, will bring together the four countries’ foreign ministers for what Pakistan described as “in-depth discussions on a range of issues, including efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region”.

The meeting comes as Islamabad increasingly positions itself as a potential intermediary and host for direct talks between Washington and Tehran, having already conveyed proposals between both sides.

Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the gathering would focus on establishing a practical framework to reduce hostilities and assess the trajectory of the conflict.

“We would discuss where the negotiations in this war are heading and how these four countries assess the situation and what can be done,” he said.

All four nations have played varying roles in mediation efforts since the conflict began, while also facing direct exposure to disruptions in energy supplies and critical trade routes, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz.

Pakistan has reportedly relayed a United States proposal outlining terms to end the war, with Iranian officials signalling openness to holding negotiations either in Pakistan or Turkey. However, while Donald Trump has said talks with Tehran were “going very well”, Iranian authorities continue to deny that formal negotiations are under way.

Tehran is understood to be reviewing a 15-point proposal from Washington, though at least one official has described it as “one-sided and unfair”, citing demands that include dismantling Iran’s nuclear programme, limiting missile capabilities and ceding control over strategic waterways.

Speaking separately in Istanbul, Fidan emphasised the urgency of coordinated international action, warning that a shifting “polycentric system” requires stronger mechanisms to safeguard global energy and trade corridors.

He said the dialogue aimed to produce “actionable steps” to halt the conflict swiftly and prevent further damage to both the region and the global economy. - March 28, 2026