LONDON: Pakistan is relaying messages between the United States and Iran as part of indirect talks to end the ongoing Middle East conflict, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Thursday, in the first official confirmation of Islamabad’s mediating role. “There has been unnecessary speculation in the media regarding peace talks,” Dar said in a statement posted on X.

Diplomatic sources say negotiations in Islamabad may begin next week, though no formal agreement is in place

Trump said top U.S. negotiators and their Iranian counterparts have been engaged in "very, very strong talks," but Tehran has denied that claim.