Pakistan says it made ‘sincere efforts’ in marathon US-Iran talks
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Islamabad made “sincere efforts” to facilitate talks between the United States and Iran, as regional tensions continue to affect global energy markets.
Speaking during a federal cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Sharif said Pakistan hosted a marathon round of talks on April 11 that lasted 21 hours. He praised military and diplomatic officials, including Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, for sustaining efforts that helped secure an extension of the ceasefire.
Sharif said Pakistan remained in contact with Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who recently visited Islamabad before travelling to Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The prime minister also warned that disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz were putting pressure on global oil prices, forcing Pakistan to reassess domestic fuel costs.
The first round of U.S.-Iran talks ended without a breakthrough, while a planned second round has yet to take place. Tensions have remained high since joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 triggered retaliatory attacks and restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
