U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has thanked Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar for Pakistan’s “constructive role” in facilitating dialogue between Washington and Tehran, as diplomatic efforts continue to ease tensions around Iran and the wider Middle East.
Dar met Rubio in Washington, where the two discussed U.S.-Pakistan relations, counterterrorism cooperation, regional stability and the ongoing Iran file. The U.S. State Department earlier said Rubio appreciated Pakistan’s willingness to help mediate conversations with Iran and support regional stability.
The meeting comes as Pakistan tries to position itself as a useful diplomatic bridge between the U.S. and Iran. Reuters reported that Dar’s Washington visit was expected to focus heavily on the Iran conflict, with talks linked to efforts for extending a fragile ceasefire and reopening secure passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
Pakistan has repeatedly said dialogue, not confrontation, is the only workable path in the region. Islamabad’s role is also being watched closely because of its ties with Tehran, its security relationship with Washington, and its broader push to regain diplomatic relevance.
For Pakistan, Rubio’s remarks are a small but notable win. They signal that Washington sees Islamabad as more than just a security partner — at least on this issue, it sees Pakistan as a channel that can still talk to multiple sides when the temperature rises.
Both sides also discussed expanding trade, investment and counterterrorism cooperation, including efforts against ISIS-K. The coming weeks will show whether Pakistan’s backchannel role can produce anything concrete, or whether it remains mostly diplomatic signaling.
