Middle East crisis: Mediators gather in Pakistan for talks on ending month-long Iran war

Top diplomats from major regional powers gathered in Pakistan over the weekend to discuss ways to end the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, even as U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran and retaliatory missile and drone strikes by Tehran continue.Pakistan said the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Egypt were participating in the talks in Islamabad. However, neither the United States nor Israel participated in the discussions.Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdulati and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan arrived on Saturday, while Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived on Sunday at the invitation of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

The two-day Quad meeting is part of Pakistan’s efforts to promote a diplomatic solution to the crisis.According to Pakistan’s foreign ministry, participants will “engage in-depth discussions on a range of issues, including efforts to ease tensions in the region” and are scheduled to meet Prime Minister Sherbaz Sharif.Dar also held separate bilateral meetings with his counterparts on the sidelines, Dawn reported.During talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, the two sides discussed “changing regional and international developments” and stressed the importance of dialogue and cooperation.“They emphasized the importance of dialogue, diplomacy and collective efforts to promote peace, security and stability in the region,” the ministry said, adding that the two countries agreed to continue working together to strengthen cooperation and contribute to regional peace.Dar also met Turkish Prime Minister Hakan Fidan, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to expanding ties “in all areas of mutual interest” and underlining the “historic brotherly ties” between the two countries.In a separate meeting with Egyptian President Badr Abdulati, the two sides reiterated their “commitment to deepening cooperation in multiple fields.”Dawn reported that the Quad meeting was initially planned to be held in Turkey but was later moved to Islamabad as Ishaq Dar was unable to travel and Pakistan was trying to position itself as a diplomatic player to facilitate talks between the United States and Iran.

Strait of Hormuz and Shipping Relief

Dar also announced that Iran had agreed to allow 20 more Pakistani-flagged ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy route through which about 20% of the world’s oil flows.“I am pleased to share the good news that the Iranian government has agreed to allow an additional 20 Pakistani-flagged ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz; two ships will pass through the strait every day,” he said.He added: “This is a welcoming and constructive gesture from Iran that deserves appreciation. It is a harbinger of peace and will help usher in stability in the region.” He emphasized that “dialogue, diplomacy and such confidence-building measures are the only way forward.”

Progress limited, tensions persist

Despite diplomatic efforts, there are few signs of a breakthrough. The United States has sent additional troops to the region, while Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf denied the talks were a cover and warned Tehran to prepare strong retaliation for any ground incursion.On the ground, hostilities continued. Israel reported a new wave of attacks from Iran, with explosions heard across Tehran.Meanwhile, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels have joined the conflict, firing missiles at what they say are “sensitive Israeli military sites.”U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington “can achieve all of our objectives without ground troops” even as domestic opposition to a wider war grows.

Iranian Conditions and Threats

Top diplomats met in Islamabad days after the United States proposed a 15-point “action list” as a framework for a possible peace deal with Iran.However, Tehran rejected the offer and is reportedly formulating its own plan, which includes demands such as a halt to attacks on Iranian officials, guarantees against future attacks, compensation and recognition of its sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.Tensions escalated further after Israel attacked an Iranian university. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have warned that Israeli and American university campuses in the region could become “legitimate targets” unless security guarantees are provided.“If the U.S. government wants universities in the region to survive, it should issue an official statement condemning the bombing of (Iranian) universities before 12 o’clock on Monday, March 30,” the Guard said.

Casualties from conflict continue to rise

The war, which began with U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, has killed more than 3,000 people in the region.Iran has reported more than 1,900 deaths and at least 19 in Israel. In Lebanon, Israeli operations against Hezbollah have killed more than 1,100 people. In Iraq, 80 security personnel were killed, with 20 deaths reported in the Gulf countries and four in the occupied West Bank.Despite diplomatic efforts, the United States and Iran remain deeply divided and both sides have continued to take military action even as negotiations struggle to make progress.