Ishaq Dar: Iran Ready for Talks if Israel Ceases Strikes

ISLAMABAD: As the confrontation between Tehran and Tel Aviv extends into its fourth day, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stated on Monday that Iran has expressed a willingness to resume negotiations if Israel halts further attacks. This statement follows direct engagement with his Iranian counterpart after the initial outbreak of hostilities.

“The Iranian Foreign Minister [Abbas Araghchi] communicated to me that should Israel not initiate additional strikes, they are prepared to return to the discussion table,” Dar conveyed during his address on the Senate floor.

“We have relayed this message to various nations […] there remains an opportunity to restrain Israel and facilitate Iran’s return to the negotiation process,” he further stated.

Since Friday, Israel has executed extensive strikes within Iran, focusing on military installations, nuclear facilities, and residential zones across the nation.

These attacks have resulted in at least 224 fatalities within Iran, encompassing high-ranking military officials, nuclear scientists, and civilians.

Iran has responded with drone and missile assaults that have caused at least 24 deaths in Israel, according to recent data released by the prime minister’s office.

Iran does not recognize Israel’s legitimacy and has long accused it of conducting acts of sabotage against its nuclear sites and assassinating its scientists.

Addressing the upper house, Dar emphasized Pakistan’s proactive involvement in supporting diplomatic efforts, adding: “Our primary objective has consistently been to foster successful negotiations between the United States and Iran.”

He mentioned consistent contact with the foreign ministers of both Oman and Iran throughout the crisis. “I engaged with Iran’s foreign minister both before and following the Israeli offensive,” he remarked.

Dar also added that the Iranian foreign minister stated clearly after the initial assault that “this action would be met with a response.”

The deputy prime minister also cautioned against the perils of disinformation and propaganda, describing the prevailing circumstances as exceedingly delicate. “This is not a trivial matter — a significant conflict is in progress,” he emphasized. “During such periods, responsible conduct is imperative. We must avoid recklessness.”

Dar voiced strong condemnation of the dissemination of false information since June 13, including manipulated video clips featuring US President Donald Trump and outdated interviews presented as current events.

“Widespread misinformation is in circulation — we must exercise vigilance,” he urged, pointing to an instance where an Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s interview from 2011 was falsely depicted as recent.

He also refuted assertions circulating on social media that Pakistan would initiate a nuclear strike if Israel were to do so first.

Denouncing the viral statement as “highly irresponsible and utterly false,” Dar stated: “This is entirely without merit. We affirmed in 1998 that our nuclear arsenal is exclusively for our own defense and safeguarding.”

He emphasized that Pakistan’s nuclear strategy is solely for its own security, with the aim of maintaining regional peace. “Our nuclear capability is vital for stability in the region,” he stated.

Dar also noted that Pakistan has never acceded to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), reaffirming the nation’s autonomous nuclear stance. He further added that any assault on nuclear facilities constitutes a “severe violation under international law.”

Regarding the repatriation of Pakistani citizens from Iran, he stated that the Foreign Office has established a crisis management team and is diligently monitoring the situation.