Chicago – March 29, 2026
Pakistan said it is ready to host talks between the United States and Iran in the coming days, positioning itself as a mediator in the widening Middle East conflict. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said both Washington and Tehran had expressed confidence in Pakistan’s facilitation, while regional diplomats meeting in Islamabad voiced support for the initiative.
The announcement came as tensions escalated sharply. Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf warned that Iranian forces were waiting for U.S. ground troops to arrive so they could “set them on fire,” according to state media and international reports. His remarks followed reports of additional U.S. Marines being deployed to the region.
Pakistan has increasingly presented itself as a diplomatic bridge, citing its relatively workable ties with both Washington and Tehran. However, it remains unclear whether the proposed talks will be direct or indirect, and neither the U.S. nor Iran has publicly confirmed the format.
