Pakistan Says Tehran-Washington Talks Continue Behind Closed Doors
Faisal Niaz Tirmizi said in an exclusive interview that although Iranian officials have denied that negotiations are taking place, diplomatic efforts are continuing beneath the surface.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Pakistan is continuing to act as a neutral mediator between Iran and the United States, with negotiations between Tehran and Washington ongoing behind closed doors, Pakistan’s ambassador to Russia has told Kurdistan24.
Faisal Niaz Tirmizi said in an exclusive interview that although Iranian officials have denied that negotiations are taking place, diplomatic efforts are continuing beneath the surface.
“Diplomacy is like a diver in water; activities take place beneath the surface and cannot be seen. Negotiations are still ongoing,” Tirmizi said.
He said Pakistan has sought to serve as an honest and neutral mediator between Iran and the United States, warning that any further escalation could have international repercussions, including higher oil prices and the potential emergence of a food crisis.
“Pakistan’s interior minister is currently in Iran, and we are also in contact with the Americans to reach a solution through negotiations,” he said.
Tirmizi also addressed the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, signed by Pakistan, Türkiye, and Saudi Arabia on August 7, stressing that the agreement is defensive in nature and is not directed against any country.
“Pakistan has no aggressive intentions toward any country. The atomic bomb is something Pakistan would never use, and we have never even threatened to use it. Rather, we have complete faith in peace and dialogue,” he said.
The ambassador said Pakistan would welcome the participation of additional regional countries in the security framework, emphasizing that Islamabad’s involvement is aimed at safeguarding international peace and security.
“Pakistan would be very pleased if more countries in the region joined this process, because we have only become involved to safeguard international peace and security,” Tirmizi said.
Pakistan has played a longstanding role as a communication channel between Washington and Tehran. Because the United States and Iran do not maintain formal diplomatic relations, Iran’s Interests Section in Washington operates under the protective umbrella of the Pakistani Embassy, providing an established diplomatic and administrative channel between the two countries.
Pakistan’s mediation role expanded following the outbreak of the current conflict on Feb. 28, when the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran, followed by Iranian retaliatory operations.
In April, intensive mediation efforts by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir helped broker a temporary ceasefire, creating an opening for indirect negotiations in Islamabad.
The latest comments from Tirmizi indicate that diplomatic contacts between Tehran and Washington remain active despite public statements denying the existence of negotiations, as Pakistan continues efforts to prevent further escalation and facilitate a political solution.