ANTALYA: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has said that only a few points remain to be agreed upon in ongoing US–Iran negotiations, expressing optimism over continued diplomatic progress facilitated by Pakistan.
Speaking at a discussion during the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Ishaq Dar said Pakistan has been actively engaged from the very beginning in efforts to resolve the US–Iran tensions through diplomacy. He described Pakistan’s role in mediating talks between the two sides as a matter of pride after nearly 47 years of strained relations.
He noted that prolonged regional tensions had negatively affected trade and economic activity across the region, stressing the need for stronger economic connectivity among South Asian and neighbouring countries.
Dar further highlighted that the region, despite representing nearly two billion people, has a comparatively low combined GDP of around $4 trillion, pointing to the lack of a structured trade mechanism between regional states.
He said Pakistan supports expanding trade and connectivity across South Asia and added that the country is well-positioned to serve as a regional transshipment hub.
Welcoming recent developments, the deputy prime minister said the reported easing of tensions following the Lebanon ceasefire and the reopening of maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz for commercial shipping, was a positive step.
He added that only a few outstanding issues now remain in the US–Iran dialogue, suggesting that continued diplomatic engagement could lead to further breakthroughs.
