Dar rallies regional powers behind Saudi Arabia

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has reaffirmed Pakistan’s solidarity with Saudi Arabia following recent Houthi attacks on the Kingdom, as regional and European foreign ministers met in Istanbul to discuss escalating tensions in the Middle East and efforts to promote peace and stability.

Dar attended the sixth Regional Four (R-4) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on Friday alongside Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty.

According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, the ministers expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia, reaffirmed their support for its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and condemned the attacks targeting the Kingdom. They also stressed the importance of respecting state sovereignty and strengthening regional cooperation.

The foreign ministers reviewed developments since their previous meeting in New York, focusing on the situation in the Middle East and related security challenges. They discussed ways to improve coordination and advance diplomatic initiatives aimed at achieving lasting peace and stability.

The meeting took place amid heightened tensions involving Iran, the United States, Yemen and the Gulf region. Concerns over energy supplies, maritime security and the possibility of a wider conflict have increased the urgency of diplomatic engagement among regional and international powers.

Following the R-4 meeting, Dar participated in discussions involving the four regional countries and their European counterparts from Germany, France, the United Kingdom and Italy.

The expanded diplomatic engagement provided an opportunity to exchange views on developments in the Gulf, their potential social and economic consequences, and the need for coordinated efforts to address regional challenges.

The Foreign Office said Dar briefed the participating ministers on Pakistan’s diplomatic and mediation efforts to reduce tensions, prevent a renewed outbreak of hostilities and promote peace.

The ministers agreed to continue engagement through the expanded format, according to the statement.

The R-4 comprises Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, while the wider European engagement brings together major powers with longstanding diplomatic interests in Middle Eastern security. The discussions reflected efforts to improve coordination between regional states and European governments as several conflicts threaten broader international stability.

Key concerns include developments in Palestine and Yemen, tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, the security of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the potential impact of regional instability on international trade and energy supplies.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Dar held talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, reaffirming the longstanding ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

According to the Foreign Office, both leaders pledged to strengthen their strategic partnership through close cooperation across areas of mutual interest and regular consultations at all levels.

Dar reiterated Pakistan’s full support for Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The two ministers also highlighted the special relationship between their countries, reinforced by the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement and the Makkah Defence Alliance.

They reaffirmed their shared commitment to regional peace, security and stability.

Dar also met British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband during the Istanbul meetings. The two sides expressed satisfaction with the state of Pakistan-UK relations and agreed to expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

Their discussions covered regional and international developments, with both emphasising the importance of dialogue, diplomacy and sustained engagement in addressing emerging challenges.

Miliband commended Pakistan’s efforts to promote regional peace and stability, while Dar appreciated the United Kingdom’s participation in the expanded diplomatic engagement alongside Germany, France and Italy.

In a separate meeting, Dar and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan reviewed bilateral relations and discussed developments in the Middle East, particularly the situation in Palestine.

Both expressed concern over threats to regional stability and stressed the need for diplomatic engagement and coordinated efforts to prevent further escalation.

Dar thanked Fidan for hosting the R-4 and expanded ministerial meetings. He also conveyed condolences over the loss of life caused by flash floods following heavy rains in Türkiye and wished those affected a speedy recovery.

The two ministers condemned the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and reaffirmed their commitment to coordination on regional security, including under the Makkah Defence Agreement involving Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia. They also pledged to deepen cooperation and strengthen their longstanding friendship.

Dar separately met German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul to discuss bilateral relations and ways to expand cooperation through sustained engagement. The two ministers exchanged views on regional and international developments and underlined the importance of diplomacy and international coordination.

Dar welcomed Germany’s constructive participation in the expanded format, alongside France, Italy and the United Kingdom, and emphasised the value of continued consultations on shared concerns.

During his meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, Dar reaffirmed the longstanding friendship between Pakistan and Egypt. Both ministers agreed to give fresh momentum to cooperation in trade, business, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, connectivity, renewable energy, defence and people-to-people exchanges.

They also discussed the situation in Palestine and the wider Middle East, stressing the importance of sustained dialogue and closer coordination through the R-4 framework.

Dar arrived in Istanbul at the invitation of Fidan to participate in the R-4 meeting and the first gathering of the expanded R-4+E3 format.

The Pakistani foreign minister was received by Turkish Foreign Ministry Director General Ambassador Cihad Erginay. Pakistan’s Chargé d’Affaires Shaiq Ahmed, Consul General in Istanbul Khawaja Khurram Naeem, Additional Secretary Ambassador Khalil Hashmi and other Pakistani diplomatic officials were also present.

The expanded meeting brought together representatives of Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Egypt with those of Germany, France and the United Kingdom. Italy also participated in the broader ministerial engagement described by the Foreign Office.

The format seeks to create greater opportunities for regional and European powers to discuss shared security concerns and coordinate diplomatic responses to ongoing conflicts.

The Iran-US confrontation has placed the Strait of Hormuz at the centre of international security concerns, while attacks attributed to the Houthis have heightened worries about Saudi Arabia’s security. The safety of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and other vital shipping routes also remains important for global trade and energy transportation.

Turkish officials have emphasised the need to resolve disputes through dialogue rather than relying exclusively on military measures. Keeping strategic maritime routes open and preventing conflicts from spreading into additional areas are among the concerns facing participating countries.