US Secretary Rubio thanks Pakistan for mediation with Iran
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio thanked Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday for Islamabad's efforts to mediate an end to the war with Iran, as Washington considers a proposal to secure a lasting peace and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Rubio praises Pakistan's mediation role
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday thanked Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar for Islamabad's ongoing mediation efforts to end the war between Washington and Tehran, praising Pakistan's constructive role in regional peace talks. During a meeting in the US capital, Rubio told Dar that Pakistan's diplomatic initiatives align with President Donald Trump's vision for Middle East peace, State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement.
The two leaders agreed to strengthen bilateral security and economic cooperation, Pigott added, noting that both nations share an interest in fostering regional stability. Pakistan's Foreign Ministry issued a separate statement confirming that Rubio acknowledged Islamabad's "sincere efforts" to promote peace in the region, while Dar expressed confidence that continued coordination with friendly nations would yield positive results.
Ceasefire timeline and pending talks
Tensions have remained high since the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran in late February, prompting Tehran to retaliate against American allies and block the Strait of Hormuz — a vital commercial shipping lane. A ceasefire brokered by Pakistan took effect on April 8, though subsequent talks in Islamabad failed to produce a lasting settlement before Trump extended the truce indefinitely.
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Trump weighs 'final determination'
Trump told reporters earlier Friday that he would convene officials to make a "final determination" on a proposal requiring Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions and reopen Hormuz to unrestricted shipping. The New York Times reported that the two-hour Situation Room meeting ended without a decision, a claim the White House declined to confirm beyond acknowledging the session had concluded.
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