Dar said Tehran will allow 20 more ships sailing under the Pakistan flag to pass through the strait, with two vessels crossing daily. He termed the decision a “welcome and constructive gesture” that could help promote stability and strengthen broader regional peace efforts.
Highlighting the importance of diplomacy, Dar emphasized that dialogue and confidence-building measures remain the only viable path forward in the current situation.
The Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy corridor, has seen limited traffic amid rising tensions, with threats of attacks discouraging most oil tankers. However, a few ships, including those under Pakistani and Indian flags, have managed safe passage following Iranian assurances.
Reports indicate that since the conflict began, around 16 attacks have damaged at least 17 commercial vessels, while nearly 1,900 to 2,000 ships remain stranded in the region, underscoring the scale of disruption to global trade.
Meanwhile, Pakistan is playing an increasingly central diplomatic role in the ongoing conflict involving Iran and the United States. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recently held detailed discussions with Iran’s leadership as Islamabad hosts a rare regional meeting aimed at de-escalation.
Foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkiye have gathered in Islamabad for talks focusing on reducing tensions and exploring diplomatic solutions to the ongoing crisis.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the meeting aims to establish a coordinated mechanism for de-escalation and assess the direction of ongoing negotiations.
The four countries have been actively involved in mediation efforts between Washington and Tehran, with Pakistan conveying a US proposal for ending the conflict. Iranian officials have indicated that any potential negotiations could take place in Pakistan or Turkiye, further highlighting Islamabad’s growing role as a diplomatic intermediary in the crisis.
