{"id":125471,"date":"2026-05-07T18:39:44","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T13:39:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nationaltimes.pk\/eng\/?p=125471"},"modified":"2026-05-07T18:39:49","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T13:39:49","slug":"pakistan-expects-agreement-between-us-and-iran-sooner-rather-than-later-fo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nationaltimes.pk\/eng\/2026\/125471\/","title":{"rendered":"Pakistan expects agreement between US and Iran ‘sooner rather than later’: FO"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

ISLAMABAD(National Times)- Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said on Thursday that Islamabad was hopeful about and would expect an agreement between the US and Iran \u201csooner rather than later\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said this during a weekly briefing, where he was asked how soon could the agreement be expected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this regard, Andrabi also said Pakistan would welcome a settlement between Iran and the US wherever it may be reached.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf an agreement is reached in Pakistan, it would be an honour for us,\u201d he said. The FO spokesperson also said he could not say whether the draft of the agreement would be one page or longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Andrabi\u2019s remarks came after the US and Iran see\u00admed to inch toward a peace deal<\/a> on Wednesday. There were reports that Tehran was reviewing a fresh proposal from Washington for a peace following the suspension of \u2018Project Freedom\u2019<\/a> launc\u00adhed by the US to open the Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The FO spokesperson recalled in his weekly briefing the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had welcomed the \u201ctimely announcement\u201d regarding the pause in \u2018Project Freedom\u2019 and noted that Pakistan remained firmly committed to supporting all efforts that promoted restraint and the peaceful resolution of conflict between the US and Iran through dialogue and diplomacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He added that PM had also expressed the hope that the \u201ccurrent momentum\u201d would lead to a lasting agreement that would secure durable peace and stability for the region and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Andrabi further stated that \u201cworking with the same spirit of optimism and positive engagement\u201d, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had remained in contact with his counterparts throughout the last week in an effort to pursue peace, diplomacy and a peaceful settlement between Washington and Tehran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The latest episode of hostilities between the two sides began with more than two months ago when the US and Israel launched strikes in Iran on February 28.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While a deal for a complete end to the war is yet to happen, the hostilities have been largely ceased since a the two sides agreed on a Pakistan-brokered ceasefire on April 8.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following the ceasefire, a first round of historic direct US-Iran talks<\/u><\/a> was held in Islamabad on April 11 and 12, with Pakistan playing the role of a mediator. The talks had ended without an agreement, but also without a breakdown<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With challenges in convening a second round, Islamabad has shifted back to its role as a facilitator and go-between.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, there were some positive signals on Wednesday, with Trump saying he had had \u201cvery good talks\u201d with Iran over the past 24 hours. Meanwhile, Tehran appeared receptive to the fresh US proposal to end the war, saying that it was reviewing the agreement and a response would be relayed to Washington via Islamabad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

US news outlet Axios<\/em> also claimed that Washington and Tehran were close to agreeing on a one-page memorandum of understanding to end the war and \u201cset a framework for more detailed nuclear negotiations\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among main issues that remain a sticking point between the two sides are unrestricted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and Washington\u2019s demand for long-term commitments on Iran\u2019s nuclear programme, including constraints on enrichment and safeguards against weaponisation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Repatriations from Cambodia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

During today\u2019s briefing, the FO spokesperson also addressed the detention of 54 Pakistanis in Cambodia following a raid on a scamming compound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earlier, it was reported<\/u><\/a> that more than 200 Pakistanis were in the custody of Cambodian police in overcrowded facilities and facing a lack of basic facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Andrabi said emergency travel documents had been issued to the detained individuals after ascertaining their nationalities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn our embassy\u2019s request, the host authorities allowed all 54 individuals to travel back to Pakistan. And as of today, I understand 49 individuals have returned and three are being are processed. And I understand this complete repatriation will take place soon,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also said that 85 Pakistanis had been detained in Kampala, Uganda on April 27 by immigration authorities for \u201cengaging in unauthorised employment while on visit visas\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was established that these individuals had been working for approximately four months with unregistered online companies,\u201d he said, adding that sentences awarded to the detainees had been waived following the Pakistan embassy\u2019s intervention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But a fine of $400 had been imposed on each of those individuals for violation of visa conditions, Andrabi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said all 85 of those individuals had been repatriated to Pakistan.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

ISLAMABAD(National Times)- Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said on Thursday that Islamabad was hopeful about and would expect an agreement between the US and Iran \u201csooner rather than later\u201d. He said this during a weekly briefing, where he was asked how soon could the agreement be expected. 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