The two-day quadrilateral meeting is part of Pakistan’s effort to pursue a diplomatic solution to the crisis.According to the Pakistani Foreign Office (FO), the participants will hold “in-depth discussions on a range of issues, including efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region” and are also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.Apart from this, Dar also held separate bilateral meetings with his counterparts, Dawn reported.In talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, the two sides discussed “advancing regional and international developments” and underlined the importance of dialogue and cooperation.“They underlined the importance of dialogue, diplomacy and collective efforts to promote peace, security and stability in the region,” the FO said. He said the two countries agreed to continue working together to strengthen cooperation and contribute to regional peace.Dar also met Hakan Fidan of Turkey, in which he reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to expand relations “in all areas of mutual interest” and highlighted the “historic and brotherly relations” between the two countries.In a separate meeting with Egypt’s Badr Abdellatty, both sides reiterated their “commitment to deepen cooperation in a number of areas”.The quadrilateral meeting was initially planned to be held in Turkey, but it was later shifted to Islamabad as Ishaq Dar was unable to travel, as Pakistan was working hard to establish itself as a diplomatic player in efforts to facilitate talks between the United States and Iran, reported Dawn.

Strait of Hormuz and shipping relief

In a major development, Dar also announced that Iran has agreed to allow 20 more Pakistan-flagged ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy route through which about 20% of the world’s oil flows.He said, “I am happy to share a good news that the Government of Iran has agreed to allow 20 more ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz under Pakistani flag; two ships per day will transit the strait.”“This is a welcome and constructive step by Iran and deserves appreciation. It is a harbinger of peace and will help bring stability to the region,” he said.

Despite diplomatic pressure, there were some signs of success. The United States has sent additional troops to the region, while Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf dismissed the talks as a sham and warned that Tehran was prepared to respond strongly to any ground invasion.Hostilities continued on the ground. Israel reported fresh attacks from Iran, while explosions were heard across Tehran.Meanwhile, Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen entered the conflict, firing missiles at what they described as “sensitive Israeli military sites”.US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington “can achieve all of our objectives without ground troops,” even as domestic opposition to a broader war is growing.

The top diplomats met in Islamabad just days after the United States offered a 15-point “action list” as a framework for a possible peace deal with Iran.However, Tehran has rejected the proposal and is reportedly working on its own plan, which includes demands such as stopping attacks on Iranian officials, guarantees against future attacks, compensation and recognition of its sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.Tension increased further after Israeli attacks on Iranian universities. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard warned that unless security assurances were provided, Israeli and American university campuses in the region could become “legitimate targets”.The Guard said in an official statement, “If the US government wants its universities in the region to be spared, it should condemn the bombing of (Iranian) universities by 12 o’clock on Monday, March 30.”

More than 3,000 people have been killed across the region in the war that began with US-Israeli attacks on Iran.More than 1,900 people have been reported dead in Iran, while at least 19 people have died in Israel. More than 1,100 people have been killed in Israeli action against Hezbollah in Lebanon. 80 security personnel have been killed in Iraq, while 20 have died in the Gulf countries and four in the occupied West Bank.Despite diplomatic efforts, distance remains wide between the US and Iran, with both sides continuing military actions even as negotiations struggle to gain momentum.