Pakistan Steps Up Iran Mediation, FM Dar to Visit China; EU Voices Concern

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will travel to China tomorrow for talks with his Chinese counterpart.

The visit comes at a critical moment. Dar has spent the past week at the centre of a quadrilateral diplomatic push, alongside Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Egypt, to bring the US and Iran to the table for direct talks in Islamabad.

Pakistan has intensified its diplomatic efforts amid the ongoing Iran conflict, with Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar set to travel to China on Tuesday for talks with his Chinese counterpart. The visit comes as Islamabad leads a coordinated push involving Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Egypt to bring the United States and Iran to the negotiating table through direct talks in Islamabad. China has already expressed support for the initiative, with Dar reiterating Beijing’s backing following recent discussions.

Meanwhile, European Council President Antonio Costa said he held a “good call” with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss the war in Iran and broader regional diplomacy. Costa noted that the European Union remains “gravely concerned” over the prolonged conflict and its growing global impact.

Pakistan has indicated it is preparing to host “meaningful talks” in the coming days aimed at de-escalating tensions and facilitating dialogue between the involved parties.