Regional diplomacy
Pakistan, Iran & the US Mediation Track
Follow Pakistan's mediation between the US and Iran: Asim Munir's Tehran visits, DPM Dar's regional calls, the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, and the Strait of Hormuz blockade.
The reporting trail
Page 11 of 17
Pakistan / Politics & GovernanceWitkoff, Kushner set for Islamabad Iran talks; Trump cancels trip next day
On 24 April 2026 the White House said Witkoff and Kushner would fly to Islamabad for Pakistan-mediated Iran talks; Trump cancelled after Araghchi left.
International — World / International — WorldIran war has drained US weapons stockpile, NYT investigation finds
A New York Times investigation reported on 24 April 2026 says the US has burned through 1,200 Patriot interceptors and most of its long-range cruise missiles in the Iran war.
Pakistan / Politics & GovernancePakistan rejects India's Pahalgam allegations, urges restraint
Pakistan's Foreign Office on 23 April 2026 rejected Indian allegations linking it to the Pahalgam incident and urged New Delhi to avoid rhetoric that could undermine peace efforts.
Pakistan / Business & FinancePakistan warns Middle East war will slow growth this year and next
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said the Middle East war, higher oil prices, inflation and cuts in development spending will slow Pakistan's growth this year and next.
International — World / International — WorldTrump says US team heading to Islamabad for second round of Iran talks
US President Donald Trump said American negotiators would be in Islamabad on 20 April, as Iran's lead negotiator reported progress but said a final deal was far off.
Pakistan / Politics & GovernanceIslamabad seals Red Zone and halts transport ahead of US-Iran talks
Pakistan closed Islamabad's Red Zone and suspended public and goods transport in the twin cities on 19 April 2026 as it prepared for a second round of US-Iran talks.
Pakistan / Business & FinancePakistan cuts diesel by Rs32.12 a litre, holds petrol price
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif cut high-speed diesel by Rs32.12 a litre for the week ending 24 April 2026 while keeping petrol unchanged at Rs366.58 a litre.
Pakistan / Politics & GovernancePakistan Navy test-fires locally developed ship-launched anti-ship missile
Pakistan's military media wing said the Navy fired an indigenously developed ship-launched anti-ship missile at extended range on 16 April 2026, with the naval chief watching.
Pakistan / Politics & GovernancePakistan army chief Munir in Tehran to push for second round of US-Iran talks
Field Marshal Asim Munir led a Pakistani delegation to Tehran on 15 April 2026 to arrange a second round of US-Iran talks before the 22 April ceasefire deadline.
Pakistan / Politics & GovernancePakistan pushes for second round of US-Iran talks as PM plans Gulf tour
Pakistan said on 14 April 2026 it was working to arrange more US-Iran talks and extend the fragile ceasefire, as PM Shehbaz Sharif prepared a Gulf tour.
International — World / International — WorldIslamabad talks end without a deal as US and Iran trade blame
US Vice President JD Vance left Islamabad on 12 April 2026 after 21 hours of talks with Iran ended without an agreement, as Pakistan urged both sides to keep the ceasefire.
International — World / International — WorldUS and Iran open first direct talks in decades in Islamabad
Led by JD Vance and Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, US and Iranian delegations began face-to-face negotiations in Islamabad on 11 April 2026.