Pakistani, Iranian top diplomats discuss engagement, ceasefire with US

Pakistani and Iranian top diplomats on Friday discussed the ongoing ceasefire as well as the need for “sustained dialogue and engagement” with the US.

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar received a call from his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi during which the two sides exchanged views on regional developments, the ceasefire, and ongoing diplomatic efforts being pursued by Islamabad in the context of US-Iran engagement, said Pakistan's Foreign Ministry.

According to Iran's Foreign Ministry, Araghchi held separate phone calls with Dar as well as Pakistan army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir to “discuss regional developments and issues related to the ceasefire.”

No details were shared by Iranian Foreign Ministry about the conversations.

Dar “underscored the importance of sustained dialogue and engagement to address outstanding issues” with the US “in order to advance regional peace and stability at the earliest,” said the Pakistan Foreign Ministry.

Araghchi “appreciated Pakistan’s consistent and constructive facilitation role in this regard, the statement added.

The call between Dar and Araghchi is the third since Sunday as efforts by Islamabad continue to bring back the US and Iran to the second round of talks to end the war.

Tehran has pushed back against calls to send its representatives to Islamabad unless the US lifts naval blockade of Iranian ports.

Pakistan hosted highest-level of direct engagements between Washington and Tehran for the first round of Islamabad Talks between April 11 and 12.

The talks were held after Pakistan secured a two-week ceasefire on April 8.

US President Donald Trump unilaterally extended on Tuesday, without giving a new timeframe, hours before it was set to expire.

Since the war began, Tehran has maintained control of the Strait of Hormuz, followed by the US naval blockade on April 13 - hitting global energy supplies, mostly across Asia.