Pakistan invites Iranian officials to Islamabad for talks

Pakistan has intensified its diplomatic outreach to Iran, inviting top Iranian officials to Islamabad for urgent consultations as regional tensions between the United States and Iran remain high. The invitations, extended on August 3, were delivered by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, and by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq to Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. The move signals Islamabad's effort to position itself as a key diplomatic bridge amid conflicting statements from Washington and Tehran over the status of negotiations.

The diplomatic push follows a series of sharp exchanges between U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian officials. Trump stated on August 3 that talks were taking place at Iran's request and were backed by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, describing the opportunity as Iran's "last chance" to reach an agreement. He also asserted that a U.S. naval blockade on Iran would remain in place until there is "a deal, or total surrender," claiming American control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Iranian authorities, however, have consistently denied that any...