Lead

Pakistan's Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said on Thursday that Islamabad is hopeful about an agreement between the United States and Iran and expects it to happen "sooner rather than later." Speaking at a weekly briefing, Andrabi added that Pakistan would welcome a settlement between Iran and the US wherever it may be reached, and that "if an agreement is reached in Pakistan, it would be an honour for us." He declined to speculate on the length or details of a potential draft agreement.

Coverage Comparison

The remarks come as the US and Iran appear to be inching toward a peace deal. Reports indicate that Tehran is reviewing a fresh proposal from Washington, following the suspension of 'Project Freedom'—a US-led operation aimed at opening the Strait of Hormuz. According to two reports from Dawn, the FO spokesperson's comments were consistent with Pakistan's ongoing role as a mediator, highlighting the country's facilitation of recent talks.

Both reports note that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the "timely announcement" regarding the pause in 'Project Freedom' and reiterated Pakistan's commitment to supporting "restraint and the peaceful resolution of conflict between the US and Iran through dialogue and diplomacy." The reports also emphasize that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has remained in contact with his counterparts over the past week to pursue peace, though this detail appears in only one of the two accounts.

Key Claims

  • Hopeful for a US-Iran agreement: Pakistan's FO spokesperson stated that Islamabad expects an agreement between the US and Iran soon, according to two reports from Dawn.
  • Ceasefire and talks: A Pakistan-brokered ceasefire was agreed on April 8, and direct US-Iran talks were held in Islamabad on April 11 and 12—described as historic. These details appear in both reports. The talks ended without an agreement but also without a breakdown.
  • Sticking points: Unrestricted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and Washington's demands for long-term commitments on Iran's nuclear programme—including constraints on enrichment and safeguards against weaponisation—remain key issues, as reported.
  • Positive signals: On Wednesday, there were indications of progress, with US President Donald Trump saying he had had "very good talks" with Iran over the past 24 hours.
  • Ishaq Dar's efforts: One report notes that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has been in contact with counterparts to advance peace efforts, though this is not mentioned in the other report.
  • Hostilities timeline: The latest episode of hostilities began on February 28, when the US and Israel launched strikes in Iran, according to both reports.

Perspectives

From Pakistan's viewpoint, the FO's statements reflect a cautious optimism and a desire to take credit for facilitating dialogue. The reports underscore Pakistan's dual role as both a mediator and a stakeholder in regional stability. The mention of Ishaq Dar's efforts suggests that Islamabad is proactive behind the scenes, though the details remain sparse. For the US and Iran, the apparent progress is framed around the suspension of 'Project Freedom' and ongoing negotiations, but significant obstacles remain, including the nuclear programme and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The reports do not include independent responses from Washington or Tehran, leaving their perspectives to be inferred from the developments described. As the situation evolves, further clarity on the terms of any potential agreement will be critical.