Pakistani, UK top diplomats discuss US-Iran ceasefire, regional tensions

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper on Monday discussed the US-Iran ceasefire and broader regional developments.

Both sides reviewed the recently held direct US-Iran negotiations during the Islamabad talks, along with wider regional dynamics, according to a statement from Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry.

Cooper appreciated Pakistan’s "constructive role in promoting peace and stability in the region."

Dar also stressed "the need for all parties to fully respect and implement the ceasefire," and "reaffirmed Pakistan’s continued commitment to advancing dialogue and diplomacy as the only viable means to address regional challenges and foster lasting peace."

Separately, Dar reshared a video of UK MP Mohammed Afzal’s speech in the British Parliament on his social media account.

"Pakistan is playing a leading role in efforts to end the United States–Iran conflict by prioritizing peace," Dar quoted Afzal. "Today, I asked the Prime Minister how the United Kingdom is supporting the Pakistani government in its effort to secure a lasting and sustainable peace in the Middle East."

The US and Iran held direct talks in Islamabad over the weekend; however, they did not produce an agreement.

Those talks followed Pakistan’s securing of a two-week ceasefire between the two sides on April 8, but the highest-level engagement between Washington and Tehran since 1979 remained inconclusive.