Dar denies secret US-Iran deal, defends Pakistan’s role

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has dismissed claims of a secret agreement between the United States and Iran, saying all

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has dismissed claims of a secret agreement between the United States and Iran, saying all understandings are clearly documented in the Islamabad Agreement and that Pakistan had no personal interest in the matter.

Speaking to an Arab media outlet, Dar said Pakistan’s role was solely aimed at promoting peace, regional stability, and the interests of the Muslim world.

He said Pakistan strongly condemned Israel’s attack on Iran on February 28 and immediately launched diplomatic efforts to bring the parties to the negotiating table. According to Dar, Pakistan’s continuous engagement helped secure an initial ceasefire and paved the way for direct dialogue.

The foreign minister revealed that six rounds of negotiations, lasting a total of 21 hours, were held in Islamabad between American and Iranian delegations. He described the talks as historic, saying it was the first time in 47 years that the United States and Iran engaged in direct negotiations in Islamabad.

Dar said the talks were represented by US Vice President JD Vance, Iran’s parliamentary speaker, and the Iranian foreign minister. Pakistan participated as a mediator and witness through the deputy prime minister, the chief of defence forces, and the national security adviser.

He added that Pakistan kept regional partners informed throughout the diplomatic process and secured broad international support for its mediation efforts.

According to Dar, the newly established R-4 Forum, comprising Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Türkiye, has emerged as a cooperative platform focused on regional peace and economic connectivity. He stressed that the forum is not a political bloc but a joint platform representing nearly half a billion people.

Dar said the final Memorandum of Understanding was signed in Islamabad on June 18, and copies of the agreement were shared with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Türkiye.

Highlighting the economic impact of the conflict, he said the brief war severely disrupted global energy supply chains, pushed oil prices sharply higher, fueled inflation worldwide, and caused significant losses to the global economy.

He noted that Pakistan provided billions of rupees in petroleum subsidies for three weeks to shield consumers from rising fuel prices and immediately passed on relief once international oil prices declined.

The deputy prime minister also said a 60-day framework had been agreed to ensure uninterrupted maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, adding that vessels passing through the strategic waterway would not face any transit or service fees.

Discussing the next phase of diplomacy, Dar said the second round of negotiations has formally begun in Switzerland. Three specialized technical working groups have been established to address key issues, including Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions and frozen assets, and the situation in Lebanon.

He said negotiations faced temporary delays due to renewed Israeli military actions in Lebanon, which threatened to derail diplomatic progress. However, he added that all parties remain committed to the process and have agreed that timelines can be extended by mutual consent if necessary.