Pakistan will join key Middle Eastern countries in Turkey for the high-stakes negotiations between the United States and Iran over Tehran’s nuclear program after weeks of tensions in the region.
Pakistan shares a long border with Iran and has been one of the key countries that called for resolving the nuclear dispute through negotiations.
The Foreign Ministry in Islamabad confirmed Pakistan has been invited to the talks that take place amid U.S. military buildup in the region as part of the maximum pressure campaign to make Tehran come to the negotiating table for talks on stopping any nuclear weapons development.
Trump Warns Iran of ‘Far Worse’ Attack, Says Time Running Out for Nuclear Deal
President Donald Trump has stepped up pressure on Iran in recent weeks, insisting that Tehran commit to refraining from developing nuclear weapons.
“We have the biggest, most powerful ships in the world over there, very close, a couple of days,” Trump told reporters on Sunday. “Hopefully, we make a deal.”
Iran, meanwhile, has sent mixed signals, leaving open the possibility of both negotiations and military confrontation.
Iran says ‘meaningful’ nuclear talks with US could still lead to deal
A report in The Wall Street Journal earlier revealed that foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Pakistan, and Oman are among those invited to take part in the discussions.
Islamabad and the influential Middle Eastern capitals are understood to have facilitated indirect discussions between Washington and Tehran.
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is expected to represent Pakistan during the negotiations.
Iftikhar Ali is a veteran Pakistani journalist, former president of UN Correspondents Association, and a recipient of the Pride of Performance civil award
