Dar said he conveyed this during a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, adding that Pakistan had worked to ensure Iran’s right to maintain a peaceful nuclear programme was acknowledged.
The briefing came amid an expanding Middle East conflict, with Israel launching attacks on Iran and Tehran responding with missile and drone strikes targeting what it described as US interests and bases in Gulf states.
During the four-day confrontation, several senior Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, were reported killed in airstrikes attributed to Israel and the United States. Iranian officials described the attacks as unprovoked and warned of retaliation, with the Revolutionary Guard vowing that the action would not go unanswered.
Dar said Pakistan was prepared to facilitate mediation between Washington and Tehran in Islamabad, noting that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir had played what he called an active and constructive role in diplomatic and defence-level engagements.
He told lawmakers he had immediately contacted Iran’s foreign minister after the strikes to condemn the attacks and convey condolences on Khamenei’s reported death. He also spoke with foreign ministers from countries including Turkey, Maldives, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman.
According to Dar, Oman’s foreign minister informed him that Iran-US negotiations had been progressing positively before the latest attacks.
He said Pakistan had consistently supported Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear energy and had previously convened debates on the issue while holding the presidency of the UN Security Council.
Dar added that Pakistan had engaged in back-channel diplomacy and that the Iranian leadership was aware of Islamabad’s efforts. He stressed that Pakistan should not be drawn into the conflict, particularly after reported attacks on Gulf countries and Iranian strikes on US bases.
He said that although some states urged caution and monitoring mechanisms, Pakistan maintained its stance in support of Iran’s peaceful nuclear rights. A meeting chaired by the prime minister decided that diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions must continue, he added.
Regional assurances and evacuations
Dar said Iran had sought assurances that its territory would not be used for hostile actions, and Pakistan conveyed those assurances. He added that Saudi Arabia had provided similar assurances and that Pakistan helped facilitate communication.
He informed the Senate that about 35,000 Pakistanis were currently in Iran. The Taftan-Zahedan border crossing remains operational, and 792 Pakistanis have been evacuated so far. While airspace remains closed, road routes are open for returns.
Describing the regional environment as highly challenging, Dar said the government remained fully engaged in diplomatic efforts and would provide further briefings to parliamentary leaders on the evolving situation.
