Islamabad/Tehran, April 4, 2026: Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday expressed deep appreciation for Pakistan’s diplomatic role, stating that Tehran was “deeply grateful” for Islamabad’s mediation efforts amid the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel.
In a statement posted on X, Araghchi said Iran’s position was being “misrepresented by the US media,” emphasizing that Tehran seeks “a conclusive and lasting end to the illegal war imposed on us.” He added that Iran has “never refused to go to Islamabad” for talks.
His remarks come amid reports that backchannel mediation efforts between the United States and Iran narrowly missed a breakthrough on two occasions in recent days.
Pakistan has been actively positioning itself as a neutral facilitator, offering Islamabad as a venue for dialogue as tensions escalate following US and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets. The initiative reflects Islamabad’s broader push to de-escalate regional tensions and promote diplomatic engagement.
Reacting to Araghchi’s statement, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar welcomed the clarification, referring to his Iranian counterpart as a “dear brother.”
Security sources said Araghchi’s remarks effectively counter what they described as a disinformation campaign by certain Western and Indian media outlets regarding Iran’s willingness to engage in diplomacy.
Officials reiterated that Pakistan continues to pursue peace through constructive engagement with all key stakeholders, reinforcing its role as an “honest broker” in international diplomacy.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pakistan spokesperson Tahir Andrabi rejected media reports attributed to “so-called official sources,” calling them baseless and misleading. He stressed that recent briefings had been misrepresented and urged media outlets to rely on verified official statements.
Despite delays, diplomatic efforts remain ongoing. Sources familiar with the matter said Pakistan had facilitated preparations for a possible high-level meeting in Islamabad involving a US delegation reportedly led by Vice President JD Vance and senior Iranian officials. However, planned engagements were postponed at the last minute to allow for further internal consultations on both sides.
“Efforts are ongoing, and there is still willingness to explore diplomatic options,” a source noted, adding that the situation remains fluid.
As part of broader regional diplomacy, Pakistan also hosted consultations involving Türkiye, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia in recent days, focusing on proposals including reopening the Strait of Hormuz to stabilize global shipping and energy flows.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had also spoken with Araghchi, underscoring that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable path toward lasting peace.
