Istanbul, October 23,2026: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday participated in meetings of the R4 group of Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye with foreign ministers from France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom to discuss developments in the Gulf region amid the US-Israeli war on Iran.
The R4 group, which emerged in March, has focused on regional security and mediation efforts between the United States and Iran.
According to the Foreign Office (FO), Dar attended the first meeting between the R4 foreign ministers and their counterparts from the four European countries.
“The meeting provided an opportunity for exchange of views on regional developments in the Gulf region, their social and economic impacts, and the urgent need to foster diplomatic engagement to resolve regional challenges of peace, security and stability,” the FO said.
Dar briefed his counterparts on Pakistan’s diplomatic and mediatory efforts to de-escalate tensions, prevent a resumption of hostilities and promote peace. The ministers agreed to continue engagement in this format, it added.
The R4 foreign ministers also held a separate meeting, marking their sixth round of consultations. Dar was joined by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.
The ministers reviewed regional developments since their previous meeting in New York in September, with particular focus on the Middle East, security challenges and ongoing conflicts, the FO said.
They expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and reaffirmed their support for its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The ministers also condemned Houthi attacks targeting Saudi Arabia and underscored the importance of respecting state sovereignty.
“They discussed ways to strengthen regional coordination and advance diplomatic efforts to promote lasting peace, security, and stability,” the FO said.
Dar holds bilateral meetings with regional counterparts
On the sidelines of the R4 meeting and the gathering with European foreign ministers, Dar held bilateral meetings with his Turkish and Egyptian counterparts, according to the FO.
In a post on X, the FO said Dar met Fidan ahead of the ministerial talks and thanked him for hosting the meetings. The two discussed bilateral relations and regional developments, particularly the situation in the Middle East and Palestine.
They expressed concern over threats to regional stability and stressed the importance of dialogue, diplomacy and coordinated efforts to promote regional peace and security.
Dar and Fidan also strongly condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and reaffirmed their commitment to close coordination on regional issues, including under the Makkah Defence Agreement.
Both leaders reiterated their commitment to strengthening the longstanding bonds of friendship and brotherhood between Pakistan and Turkiye and expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest, both bilaterally and through multilateral forums, the FO said.
Dar subsequently met Egyptian Foreign Minister Abdelatty to exchange views on regional and international developments, particularly the situation in Palestine and the wider Middle East.
The two leaders emphasised the importance of sustained dialogue and diplomacy in addressing regional challenges and reaffirmed the longstanding fraternal ties between Pakistan and Egypt.
They also stressed the need for regular high-level engagement to strengthen bilateral relations and agreed to accelerate cooperation in trade, business-to-business linkages, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, connectivity, renewable energy, defence and people-to-people exchanges.
The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to continued consultations and closer coordination under the R4 framework and on matters of mutual interest, the FO added.
Pakistan reaffirms support for Saudi Arabia
Dar also held a “warm and cordial meeting” with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, reaffirming Pakistan’s full support for the kingdom’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
According to the FO, the two leaders reiterated the strength of the fraternal relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and their commitment to further strengthening their strategic partnership through cooperation in areas of mutual interest and regular consultations at all levels.
They also highlighted the special bond between the two countries, reinforced by their bilateral Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement and the Makkah Defence Agreement involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye.
Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to regional peace, security and stability, the FO said.
Dar meets German foreign minister
Separately, Dar met German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and expressed Pakistan’s desire to strengthen bilateral relations through sustained engagement and cooperation across areas of mutual interest.
The two ministers discussed Pakistan-Germany relations and exchanged views on regional and international developments. They stressed the importance of dialogue, diplomacy and sustained international engagement to promote peace and stability amid evolving regional challenges.
Dar welcomed Germany’s constructive engagement, alongside France, Italy and the UK, with the R4 framework and underscored the importance of continued consultations and diplomatic coordination on issues of shared concern, the FO said.
Hormuz, Saudi security on agenda
British Foreign Minister Ed Miliband’s office said the discussions would focus primarily on the Strait of Hormuz and the situation in Saudi Arabia.
Miliband was expected to advocate a diplomatic solution to the crisis surrounding the Strait of Hormuz to restore full navigational rights and freedoms.
He would also highlight what his office described as the spread of Iranian tactics across the region, with attacks on Saudi Arabia further destabilising the situation and increasing pressure on critical maritime routes and global chokepoints, including Bab el-Mandeb and the Suez Canal.
France confirmed the talks would address the Iranian crisis and its wider implications, describing the meeting as the first of its kind in this format amid extreme regional instability and uncertainty.
The French foreign ministry said the meeting aimed to strengthen coordination between European and Middle Eastern countries in addressing crises affecting both regions.
Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan was expected to emphasise the need for a diplomatic resolution to the war between the United States and Iran, freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb, and Turkiye’s support for Saudi Arabia’s security against attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, diplomatic sources said.
The Makkah Defence Agreement, signed on August 7, aims to strengthen collective deterrence and provides for an attack against one signatory to be treated as an attack against all.
