ISLAMABAD — Pakistan has confirmed it has received an invitation to participate in talks between the United States and Iran scheduled in Türkiye this week, aimed at discussing Tehran’s nuclear program, the Foreign Office said Tuesday. The planned meeting in Istanbul on Friday comes amid months of heightened tensions and escalating rhetoric between Washington and Tehran.
US President Donald Trump has warned of consequences if negotiations fail, while Iran maintains that its defensive capabilities, including its ballistic missile program, are non-negotiable. Regional powers have urged restraint, cautioning that another conflict in the Middle East would be disastrous.
“Yes, we have received the invitation for talks in Istanbul,” Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi told Arab News. A senior Pakistani official, speaking on condition of anonymity, indicated that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is expected to attend on Pakistan’s behalf, although no formal announcement has been made.
The talks will primarily focus on Iran’s nuclear program, which Tehran insists is intended for peaceful purposes. Iranian officials have expressed concern that the US may try to expand discussions to include the country’s ballistic missile program, a key part of its defense strategy that played a role in last year’s 12-day Iran-Israel conflict.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian emphasized the need for “fair and equitable negotiations” in an environment free of threats. Reports indicate that senior representatives from several regional countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Oman, and the UAE, have also been invited to participate alongside Pakistan.
The Istanbul meeting represents a critical diplomatic effort to de-escalate tensions and revive dialogue in a region already facing significant security challenges.
