ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Qatar on Sunday reaffirmed their support for diplomatic efforts to ensure regional peace and stability as Iran sends its response to a United States proposal to end their conflict and restore maritime routes in the Middle East.
The state-run IRNA reported the response to a US proposal to end fighting before starting talks on more contentious issues, including Iran’s nuclear program, had been sent to Pakistan, which is mediating. But no details were immediately available.
In a post on X, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he had spoken with his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani and exchanged views on the latest developments in the region.
“We exchanged views on the evolving regional situation and reaffirmed our shared commitment to support all ongoing efforts aimed at promoting lasting peace, stability, and constructive dialogue across the region,” Sharif said.
Qatar’s foreign ministry said on X the telephonic discussion focused on the latest developments in the region as well as Pakistani mediation efforts aimed at reducing escalation in a way that “contributes to enhancing security and stability in the region.”
The development came after hostile drones were detected over several Gulf countries on Sunday after some 48 hours of relative calm following sporadic clashes this week, underlining the threat still facing the region despite a month-old ceasefire.
Still, a QatarEnergy-operated carrier, Al Kharaitiyat, passed safely through the Strait of Hormuz and was heading for Pakistan’s Port Qasim, according to data from shipping analytics firm Kpler, the first Qatari vessel carrying liquefied natural gas to cross the strait since war began on Feb. 28.
The transfer, which offered a modicum of relief to Pakistan after a wave of power blackouts caused by a halt to vital gas imports, had been approved by Iran to build confidence with Qatar and Pakistan, both mediators in the war, Reuters reported, citing sources.
Despite a ceasefire since April 8, Iran has maintained a stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for global energy and cargo supplies, since the war began in Feb. The US last month imposed a counter-blockade on Iranian ports.
Recent days have seen the biggest flare-ups in fighting in and around the strait since a ceasefire was reached on April 8, with the United Arab Emirates coming under renewed attacks and sporadic clashes between Iranian forces and US vessels in the strait.
With US President Donald Trump due to visit China this week, there has been mounting pressure to draw a line under the war, which has ignited a global energy crisis and poses a growing threat to the world economy.
But, despite diplomatic efforts to break a deadlock between the two sides and the passage of the Qatari gas tanker, the threat to shipping lanes and the economies of the region remains high.
With additional input from Reuters.
