{"id":124283,"date":"2026-04-14T12:18:58","date_gmt":"2026-04-14T07:18:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nationaltimes.pk\/eng\/?p=124283"},"modified":"2026-04-14T12:19:04","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T07:19:04","slug":"guterres-calls-islamabad-talks-positive-step-despite-no-deal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nationaltimes.pk\/eng\/2026\/124283\/","title":{"rendered":"Guterres calls Islamabad talks \u2018positive step\u2019 despite no deal"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON(National Times)- UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has said there is \u201cno military solution\u201d to the current\u00a0conflict in the Middle East,<\/a>\u00a0while welcoming recent\u00a0US-Iran talks\u00a0<\/a>hosted by Pakistan as a \u201cpositive and meaningful step\u201d towards renewed dialogue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN secretary general is also sending his special envoy, Jean Arnault, to Islamabad to consult Pakistan\u2019s leaders on ways to help end the Iran war, which is increasingly seen as a global threat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a statement issued by his spokesperson in New York on Monday, the UN chief noted that although no agreement was reached in the Islamabad discussions, the very fact that the two sides engaged underscored the seriousness of their commitment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhile no agreement<\/a> was reached at the talks hosted by Pakistan between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran in Islamabad, the discussions themselves underscored the seriousness of their engagement and constituted a positive and meaningful step towards renewed dialogue,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Guterres cautioned that, given \u201cdeeply rooted differences\u201d, an agreement could not be reached overnight, and urged continued engagement in a constructive spirit to achieve a durable settlement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also stressed that the ceasefire \u201cmust absolutely be preserved\u201d, calling for an immediate end to all violations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paying tribute to diplomatic efforts, he thanked mediators including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkiye, and urged the international community to support their initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The secretary general further underlined the importance of respecting freedom of navigation, including in the Strait of Hormuz, in line with international law. He warned that disruptions in maritime traffic are already affecting global supply chains, with around 20,000 seafarers reportedly stranded at sea under worsening conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The statement said disruptions were also impacting fertiliser supply chains, worsening global food insecurity and contributing to rising fuel and transport costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UN envoy Jean Arnault recently met Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi in Tehran, engaged with Iranian Red Crescent representatives, and visited sites damaged in recent strikes, including a university and a destroyed apartment building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the envoy reiterated the secretary general\u2019s commitment to pursuing \u201cevery possible effort\u201d for a peaceful resolution and will continue regional consultations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jorge Moreira da Silva, executive director of the United Nations Office for Project Services, is also coordinating related maritime safety efforts with international partners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>\u2018Talks reflect trust deficit\u2019<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Analysts in Washington say the Islamabad negotiations reflect not a breakdown of diplomacy, but a continuing trust deficit between Washington and Tehran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vali Nasr, professor of Middle East studies at Johns Hopkins University, said the talks failed because Iran sought guarantees that any deal would be implemented, while the US insisted on immediate, verifiable steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iran fears Washington could withdraw after it makes irreversible concessions, while the US seeks compliance before easing pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pakistan\u2019s mediation role expands<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the absence of an agreement, the Islamabad talks, reportedly lasting 21 hours, covered Iran\u2019s nuclear programme, sanctions relief, frozen assets, maritime security and broader regional arrangements, supported by technical exchanges and written proposals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Analysts say the level of detail reflects structured diplomacy rather than exploratory contact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the UN envoy expected to visit Islamabad this week, Pakistan\u2019s role appears increasingly embedded in an ongoing diplomatic framework. Whether the next round takes place in Islamabad or elsewhere remains unclear, but the process is still seen as open-ended and in motion.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

WASHINGTON(National Times)- UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has said there is \u201cno military solution\u201d to the current\u00a0conflict in the Middle East,\u00a0while welcoming recent\u00a0US-Iran talks\u00a0hosted by Pakistan as a \u201cpositive and meaningful step\u201d towards renewed dialogue. The UN secretary general is also sending his special envoy, Jean Arnault, to Islamabad to consult Pakistan\u2019s leaders on ways […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":124284,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-124283","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-international","entry"],"yoast_head":"\nGuterres calls Islamabad talks \u2018positive step\u2019 despite no deal - Nation<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/nationaltimes.pk\/eng\/2026\/124283\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Guterres calls Islamabad talks \u2018positive step\u2019 despite no deal - Nation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"WASHINGTON(National Times)- UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has said there is \u201cno military solution\u201d to the current\u00a0conflict in the Middle East,\u00a0while welcoming recent\u00a0US-Iran talks\u00a0hosted by Pakistan as a \u201cpositive and meaningful step\u201d towards renewed dialogue. 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