Efforts to reduce tensions between the United States and Iran appear to be moving towards Pakistan, as Israeli officials say a possible meeting could take place in Islamabad as early as this week, according to Reuters. The development comes after US President Donald Trump said strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure would be paused following what he called ‘productive’ talks with Iran.
Pakistan, Turkey and Egypt Working Behind the Scenes
Sources told Reuters that Pakistan, Turkey and Egypt have been quietly working to bring both sides together for talks. Axios correspondent Barak Ravid also shared statements suggesting that preparations for a meeting are underway. A senior Israeli official said that contacts are ongoing to arrange a meeting in Islamabad between senior US and Iranian officials. The official added that US Vice President JD Vance may represent Washington at the talks.
Israel was aware that countries such as Turkey, Egypt and Pakistan were trying to mediate. However, Israeli officials were reportedly surprised by Trump’s recent statement that talks were already progressing and that agreements had been reached on several key points.
Pakistan Offers Support for Peace
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke with Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian by phone and offered Pakistan’s support for peace efforts in the region. The two leaders have spoken several times over the past month, including during Ramadan and Eid, and both expressed hope for an end to the conflict.
Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, is also reported to have spoken with the Iranian president. According to the Financial Times, he also held discussions with US President Donald Trump.
Backchannel Talks Continue
Diplomatic activity has increased in recent days. Foreign ministers from Turkey, Egypt and Pakistan have reportedly held separate talks with White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Israeli media reports say that Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner also spoke with Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who is seen as an important decision-maker during the conflict.
A source familiar with the talks told Axios that mediation efforts are continuing and making progress, with the main aim being to end the war and settle remaining issues.
Iran Denies Holding Talks with the US
Donald Trump said that discussions with Iran were moving forward and that there were strong points of agreement. He also confirmed that military action had been paused for five days to allow diplomacy to continue. Trump said that if talks go well, a settlement could be reached, but if not, military strikes could resume.
The US president also claimed that Iran had contacted him to start talks. However, Iran has rejected these claims. A spokesperson for Iran’s foreign ministry said that no talks with the United States had taken place in the past 24 days.
