Islamabad (TDI): Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held separate telephone conversations with the foreign ministers of Turkiye and Iran on Wednesday, amid heightened regional concerns over Iran’s nuclear program.
In his discussion with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Dar reviewed regional and international developments and matters of mutual interest, with both officials agreeing to maintain close coordination on shared priorities.
Dar also spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, underlining the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in the region. Both sides pledged to continue close engagement and cooperation between their countries.
The calls followed remarks by US President Donald Trump, who told Israel’s Channel 12 that the United States would have to take “very tough” measures if a deal is not reached with Iran.
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Trump reportedly is also considering deploying a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East amid rising tensions over Tehran’s nuclear activities and domestic crackdown on protesters.
Iran has so far rejected expanding negotiations beyond the nuclear issue, while Washington seeks to include Tehran’s ballistic missile program and support for regional militant groups.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet Trump in Washington on Wednesday. Ahead of the visit, Netanyahu said he would discuss a range of regional issues, particularly the principles guiding US-Iran negotiations, and raise Israel’s concerns over Iran’s missile capabilities.
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Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baqaei, warned that Netanyahu’s visit could have a “destructive” impact on diplomacy, describing Israel as a “saboteur” opposed to any regional peace initiatives. He emphasized that the US remains Iran’s sole negotiating partner and should act independently of external pressures.
The exchanges come as Iran and the United States resumed indirect negotiations in Oman last Friday, marking the first talks since the brief 12-day confrontation involving Israel and the US last June.
