Iran says no one expected a deal in a single Islamabad meeting
Iran and Pakistan issued separate statements after the talks between Tehran and Washington in Islamabad. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said the two sides reached agreement on a number of issues but still had differences on two or three key points, while Pakistan called on both sides to remain committed to the ceasefire.
Statements from Tehran and Islamabad after the latest US-Iran talks showed that contacts between the two sides are continuing, but that disagreements remain on several major issues. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei and Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar both addressed the negotiations held in Pakistan’s capital.
Baghaei says differences remain on key issues
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei spoke to Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB about the negotiations held with the United States in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan.
Baghaei said Iran and the US had reached agreement on a number of issues, but that differences remained on two or three important points. He also recalled that the talks were held on the 40th day after what he described as a war imposed on Iran, and said the negotiations took place in an atmosphere of distrust and suspicion.
He said it was natural not to expect an agreement in a single meeting.
“No one expected that from the beginning,” Baghaei said.
Baghaei also stressed that Iran believes its contacts with Pakistan and other friendly countries in the region will continue.
Pakistan thanks both sides for holding talks in Islamabad
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also released a written statement on the talks between the United States and Iran held in Pakistan.
Dar thanked both Washington and Tehran for accepting Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s invitation to hold peace talks in Islamabad. He said the negotiations took place with Pakistan acting as mediator.
“I would like to express my gratitude to both sides for appreciating Pakistan’s efforts to secure a ceasefire and its role in mediation,” Dar said.
Dar urges both sides to maintain commitment to ceasefire
Dar also called on both sides to preserve the current atmosphere and remain committed to the ceasefire.
“We hope both sides will continue this positive spirit in order to ensure lasting peace and prosperity across the entire region and beyond. It is essential that the parties maintain their commitment to the ceasefire,” he said.
Dar added that Pakistan would continue to do its part to facilitate communication and dialogue between Iran and the United States.
