Pakistan says engaged in US-Iran mediation despite escalation, calls for negotiated settlement

Pakistan's foreign ministry said Thursday the country's leaders were still engaged in mediation efforts to end the US-Iran war despite a surge in conflict, calling for a "negotiated settlement".

"It is hard to be an optimist in the new exchange of hostilities. We haven't lost hope, we remain engaged," foreign ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi told journalists.

"Let's not draw curtains on Pakistan's mediation approach," he added.


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The United States launched fresh attacks against Iran on Thursday, prompting Tehran to retaliate, as US leaders accused their counterparts of dragging out negotiations for a deal to end the three-month war.

"Pakistan remains deeply concerned at the situation in the region marked by recent escalation," Andrabi said.

"We are of the view that diplomacy and dialogue should be the guiding principles for achieving a negotiated settlement of all contentious issues."

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He added that Pakistan's interior minister had returned from a visit to Tehran in recent days, confirming he had given a message and letter from the prime minister to Iranian leadership as part of the mediation efforts.