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US-Iran Talks in Switzerland Nearly Derailled by Israel's Lebanon Attacks: Pakistan FM
🇵🇰 Pakistan /Conflict & Security

US-Iran Talks in Switzerland Nearly Derailled by Israel's Lebanon Attacks: Pakistan FM

From Dawn · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar stated that US-Iran talks in Switzerland were nearly derailed by Israeli attacks on Lebanon.
  • Dar highlighted Pakistan's mediation efforts, which led to a US-Iran ceasefire and subsequent talks in Islamabad, calling the Switzerland summit "phase two" of negotiations.
  • The talks in Switzerland involved technical groups addressing nuclear issues, sanctions, and the situation in Lebanon, with a 60-day timeline for a final deal.
  • Dar noted positive outcomes such as reduced energy prices and the resumption of traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, advocating for its free movement.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar revealed that recent US-Iran talks in Switzerland were almost jeopardized by Israel's ongoing attacks on Lebanon. In an interview with Al Arabiya, Dar explained that these Israeli actions caused delays, preventing the negotiations from starting a few days earlier.

The parlays starting in Switzerland could have started a few days earlier, but Israel’s attacks on Lebanon derailed and stopped everything.

— Ishaq DarExplaining the impact of Israeli attacks on the timing of US-Iran talks.

Dar recounted Pakistan's significant diplomatic role since the conflict's onset, including mediating a ceasefire and facilitating the initial US-Iran talks in Islamabad. He described the Switzerland summit as "phase two" of the negotiation process, involving three technical groups focused on nuclear issues, sanctions and frozen assets, and the situation in Lebanon. The timeline for a final deal was set at 60 days, with potential for mutual extension.

Those parlays were the first time direct talks between the US and Iran after 47 years, and Pakistan was asked to be the witness.

— Ishaq DarRecalling Pakistan's role in facilitating the initial US-Iran talks.

He observed that the issue of Lebanon had repeatedly surfaced during the peace process. Dar also pointed to the positive dividends of the ongoing peace efforts, citing a decrease in energy prices and the restoration of traffic flow through the Strait of Hormuz. He emphasized the importance of maintaining free movement in the strait, free of any fees or tolls, aligning with a five-point plan agreed upon with China during his March visit.

There are three technical groups. One is to deal with the nuclear issue, the second is about sanctions and frozen assets and third is Lebanon.

— Ishaq DarDescribing the agenda of the talks in Switzerland.

Dar reiterated that the global understanding supports unimpeded passage through the vital waterway. He noted that for at least 60 days, free movement within the strait is expected. When questioned about guarantees to restrain Israeli actions in Lebanon, Dar's response was cut off.

The Strait of Hormuz should be restored to pre-conflict status, which means no fee and no toll at all.

— Ishaq DarAdvocating for free movement in the Strait of Hormuz.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dawn in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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