Pakistan Renews Call for Dialogue Amid US-Iran Hostilities
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar reiterated Islamabad’s resolve to promote dialogue and diplomacy on Sunday, June 28, 2026, as the fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran came under severe strain following fresh attacks exchanged by both sides in the Middle East.
The development came as Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced early Sunday that its navy and aerospace forces had launched a joint missile and drone operation targeting US military sites in Kuwait and Bahrain. This attack occurred hours after US forces struck multiple Iranian military targets on Saturday, in retaliation for what Washington described as attacks on commercial shipping in the strategic Strait of Hormuz trade route.
Dar Speaks to Bahraini Counterpart
According to a statement from Pakistan’s foreign office, Dar spoke to Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani over the telephone. The two discussed the latest evolving regional situation following the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
“DPM/FM thanked Dr. Al Zayani for his kind sentiments and reiterated Pakistan’s resolve to promote dialogue and diplomacy for achieving peace and stability in the region and beyond,” the foreign office said.
The Islamabad MoU is an initial framework for peace that the US and Iran both signed electronically this month. Both sides subsequently held technical-level talks on outstanding issues related to Iran’s nuclear enrichment program and sanctions in Switzerland last week.
Bahrain Appreciates Pakistan’s Mediation Role
The foreign office noted that Zayani appreciated Pakistan’s constructive role in facilitating the Islamabad MoU between the US and Iran, expressing hope that it would contribute to lasting peace and stability in the region. The conversation underscores the continued diplomatic engagement by Pakistan to de-escalate tensions.
Earlier Call with UK Foreign Secretary
In a related diplomatic effort, Dar also spoke to Britain’s Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper on Saturday, reiterating Islamabad’s resolve to promote dialogue and diplomacy between the US and Iran. These calls demonstrate Pakistan’s active shuttle diplomacy since the onset of the conflict.
Pakistan’s Mediation Since February 2026
Pakistan has mediated between the two nations since their conflict erupted in February 2026, after the US and Israel launched joint strikes against Iran. Apart from holding direct peace talks between the two countries in April, Pakistan brokered a ceasefire between Washington and Tehran in April and has also relayed messages and peace proposals between the countries.
Pakistani officials, along with their Qatari counterparts, remain part of the mediation process as the US-Iran negotiations continue. The fresh attacks, however, threaten to unravel the hard-won ceasefire and the diplomatic progress achieved so far.
