ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Egypt and Türkiye on Sunday welcomed the diplomatic momentum on a United States-Iran peace deal reached this week, urging a “swift” conclusion of their negotiations for a “lasting, verifiable and mutually acceptable” resolution of outstanding issues.
US and Iranian negotiators were in Switzerland on Sunday for discussion on their interim agreement to permanently end their war, while Pakistani and Qatari mediators were also at the scene for the technical-level discussions on resolving the conflict that began in late February.
On the eve of the talks, Tehran announced it has closed the Strait of Hormuz again over Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Lebanon. The interim deal between the US and Iran is meant to stop fighting on all fronts, including Lebanon, as well as calls for billions of dollars of Iran’s assets to be unfrozen.
Separately, Pakistani, Saudi, Turkish and Egyptian foreign ministers met in Cairo on Sunday to discuss the implementation of the US-Iran deal to end the conflict, which posed significant risks to regional stability and energy markets, international maritime routes, global supply chains, and international trade.
“Building on this positive momentum, particular emphasis was placed on the importance of achieving a swift and successful conclusion to the subsequent phase of negotiations which aims to reach a lasting, verifiable, and mutually acceptable solution to the remaining issues,” the Pakistani foreign ministry said.
“The Ministers emphasized that such efforts should take into account the concerns of countries of the region, particularly with regard to the security and stability of the Gulf Arab States, as well as the Levant region, with a view to strengthening collective security and promoting long-term regional stability.”
The conflict, which began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran in late Feb., saw Tehran shut the Strait of Hormuz and attack Israel, US interests and other infrastructure in the Gulf.
The interim US-Iran agreement calls for a permanent end to hostilities and starts a 60-day negotiating clock to reach a final deal on the future of Iran’s nuclear program, immediately allowing Iran to sell its oil freely in a major concession from Washington.
The deal also affirms a commitment to Lebanon’s territorial integrity in the face of Israel’s invasion against the Hezbollah militant group.
The statement by the Pakistani foreign ministry came as Qatar confirmed the start of talks between the US and Iran in Switzerland aimed at a permanent end to the Middle East war.
Qatar’s foreign ministry announced “the launch of the Lake Lucerne Summit and the first meeting of the high-level committee with the participation of representatives from the United States of America, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the two mediating states, the State of Qatar and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.”
It said it hoped the meetings would “lead to a comprehensive and lasting agreement addressing all aspects covered by the Memorandum of Understanding,” referring to the accord signed by the US and Iran earlier this week.
The meeting in Cairo marked yet another gathering of the R-4, which is conceived as a platform for coordinating positions on regional crises and advancing de-escalation efforts. The group has regularly met since its formation in March to discuss security, political and economic developments across the region.
PALESTINE ISSUE
Reaffirming the centrality of the Palestine issue for peace in the Middle East, the Saudi, Pakistani, Egyptian and Turkish foreign ministers underscored that the “Palestinian cause remains at the heart of efforts to achieve a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in the region and constitutes a central pillar for the realization of a stable and secure regional order.”
“In this regard, particular attention was devoted to the humanitarian and political situation in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem under occupation,” the Pakistani foreign ministry said.
“The Ministers reiterated their support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian State on the basis of the 4 June 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital, as an indispensable foundation for achieving a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in the region in accordance with the relevant United Nations’ Security Council Resolutions.”
The statement came a day after Israeli strikes in Gaza killed at least six people, including two children and a cameraman with broadcaster Al Jazeera, according to Palestinian health officials.
Despite an October ceasefire between Israel and the militant group Hamas, the enclave has seen near-daily Israeli attacks that have killed over 1,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
Israel’s military offensive in Gaza, which began after Oct. 2023 attacks by Hamas, has killed 73,018 Palestinians, including those slain since the ceasefire.
