ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has revealed that the latest round of US-Iran talks in Switzerland was nearly derailed by Israel’s continued attacks on Lebanon.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Al Arabiya, recorded before the negotiations began, Dar said the talks could have commenced several days earlier had the situation in Lebanon not escalated. “The parlays starting in Switzerland could have started a few days earlier, but Israel’s attacks on Lebanon derailed and stopped everything,” he said.
Recalling Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts since the conflict began on February 28, Dar highlighted Islamabad’s role in brokering a ceasefire and facilitating talks between Washington and Tehran. He noted that the discussions held in Islamabad in April marked the first direct engagement between the United States and Iran in 47 years, with Pakistan serving as a witness to the process.
“Those parlays were the first time direct talks between the US and Iran after 47 years, and Pakistan was asked to be the witness,” Dar stated.
The foreign minister said Pakistan remained actively involved after the Islamabad talks, with its efforts eventually contributing to the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on June 18.
“You see, during this period, Pakistan has been very active. Not only were we mediating between the US and Iran, but we were also keeping our allies and friends in the region connected with us,” he said.
Dar explained that Pakistan worked closely with regional and international partners throughout the process, adding that a new regional forum comprising Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye had emerged during the negotiations.
“In that process, we saw that a regional forum has been created which is Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye and we were dealing side by side with Gulf countries and also international partners,” he said.
Turning to the talks underway in Burgenstock, Switzerland, Dar described the summit as the second phase of the broader negotiation process. He said three technical working groups had been established to address key issues.
“There are three technical groups. One is to deal with the nuclear issue, the second is about sanctions and frozen assets and third is Lebanon,” he explained.
Dar said the Lebanon issue had repeatedly resurfaced throughout the peace process and was one of the main factors that almost disrupted the Switzerland talks.
“For certain items, they have 30 days to conclude, but the bulk and overall conclusion of the final deal timeline is 60 days, and this can be mutually extendable,” he added.
The deputy prime minister argued that the benefits of the peace process were already becoming visible, pointing to lower energy prices and the resumption of commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
He stressed that the strategic waterway should return to its pre-conflict status, with no fees or restrictions imposed on international shipping.
“Which means no fee and no toll at all,” Dar said.
Referring to his visit to China in March, Dar said Pakistan and China had agreed under a five-point plan that freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz must be maintained.
“No permits, no toll, no additional charge, whatever you name it; it should be free movement and sea lanes should be freely moving [on] both sides,” he said, noting the global energy challenges caused by disruptions in the strait.
“This is the global understanding,” he added, expressing hope that at least the next 60 days would see unrestricted movement through the vital shipping route.
Asked whether any guarantees existed to prevent further Israeli actions in Lebanon, Dar said mediators could only continue their efforts to preserve the peace process despite repeated challenges.
“The facilitator or mediator’s role is to keep trying and making efforts. There were points where things looked like that won’t be concluded, but we never gave hope,” he said.
He also suggested that some actors had attempted to undermine the agreement, noting that heavy bombardment in Lebanon followed shortly after the deal was signed.
“Independently, there are spoilers who never wanted this deal to happen, and the moment this deal was signed, we saw that there was heavy bombing in Lebanon,” Dar said.
Calling for restraint, he urged the international community to use its influence to persuade Israel to halt attacks in Lebanon and support regional stability.
Dar further said efforts would also be revived to advance the implementation of Gaza’s 21-point peace plan as part of broader initiatives aimed at reducing tensions across the region.