Islamabad, April 15, (dpa/GNA) – Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, is travelling to the Middle East on Wednesday, amid speculation about a fresh round of negotiations to end the war in Iran.
The Pakistani Foreign Ministry said Sharif, who has emerged as a key mediator between Washington and Tehran, is visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey “to discuss ongoing bilateral cooperation as well as regional peace and security.”
The three countries are also involved in efforts to mediate between the warring parties.
Sharif’s four-day trip is set to begin in Saudi Arabia.
In Turkey, Sharif plans to attend thefifth Antalya Diplomacy Forum, and meet President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other heads of state.
Initial talks between Iran and the United States in Islamabad failed to reach a permanent peace deal last weekend. A two-week ceasefire is currently in force.
Pakistani diplomatic sources have said that work is under way on arranging further talks.
The prime minister’s multi-day trip, suggests any such talks will not happen soon.
US President Donald Trump, on Tuesday made vague remarks about a possible new round of talks, saying in an interview with the New York Post that “something could be happening over the next two days” in Islamabad.
GNA