ISLAMABAD: Ishaq Dar told Pakistan’s Senate that Iran has committed to not pursuing nuclear weapons, even as the United States pushes for the full dismantling of Tehran’s nuclear programme.
Briefing lawmakers in Islamabad, the deputy prime minister and foreign minister said he had informed Marco Rubio that Iran was willing to forgo nuclear arms, but Washington was demanding the complete rollback of its nuclear infrastructure.
Diplomatic push amid escalating tensions
Dar’s remarks came as hostilities intensified in the Middle East, with Israel launching strikes on Iran and Tehran responding with missile and drone attacks targeting US-linked sites across Gulf states.
He strongly condemned the strikes on Iran and said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had conveyed condolences following the reported martyrdom of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Iranian officials warned the killing would mark a turning point, with the Revolutionary Guard vowing retaliation.
Dar said Pakistan had reaffirmed Iran’s right to pursue peaceful nuclear energy and was prepared to facilitate dialogue between Washington and Tehran in Islamabad. He credited both the prime minister and Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir with playing an active diplomatic and defence role in efforts to ease tensions.
Regional outreach and mediation efforts
Following the attack, Dar contacted foreign ministers from several countries, including Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman. He said Oman had indicated that Iran-US talks had been progressing positively before the recent escalation.
Recalling past diplomatic engagement, Dar referred to a previous meeting in Istanbul with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, where dialogue and negotiations were encouraged as the preferred path forward.
He stressed that Pakistan stood by Iran but did not want to be drawn into a wider conflict. While condemning the attacks swiftly, he noted that Islamabad’s priority was de-escalation rather than political point-scoring.
Assurances and evacuations
Dar said Iran had sought guarantees that neighbouring territories would not be used against it. Pakistan conveyed such assurances, and Saudi Arabia did the same. He added that although some Gulf countries were targeted, the situation had not spiralled further.
Providing an update on Pakistani nationals in Iran, Dar told the Senate that around 35,000 Pakistanis were currently in the country. So far, 792 have been evacuated via land routes through the Taftan-Zahedan border crossing, as airspace remains closed but roads are operational.
He described the regional climate as highly volatile and said the government would continue sustained diplomatic engagement to prevent further escalation. Opposition and parliamentary leaders are expected to receive a detailed briefing on the evolving situation.
