UN chief praises Pakistan’s key role in US-Iran talks, urges return to diplomacy
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres commended Pakistan for mediating between the United States and Iran and called for an end to hostilities and a diplomatic solution.
During a two-day visit to Islamabad, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres praised Pakistan’s “pivotal role” in easing tensions between the United States and Iran, citing the June 17 Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, the subsequent cease-fire and a roadmap for further negotiations. Speaking alongside Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, he called on all parties to end the conflict, return to diplomatic dialogue and respect navigation rights in line with international law, while stressing that lasting peace requires recognition of Palestinian self-determination.
Dar briefed Guterres on Pakistan’s positions regarding Palestine, Jammu and Kashmir, Afghanistan, counter-terrorism and multilateralism, and highlighted Islamabad’s efforts to promote de-escalation. The UN chief’s itinerary also includes meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and senior military leaders, as well as visits to UNMOGIP headquarters and the National Disaster Management Authority. Guterres’ remarks come as his ten-year term approaches its end on 31 December.
Why it matters
Shows Pakistan’s influence in a major US-Iran dispute and signals UN support for diplomatic resolution in the region.
How the sides frame it
HIGH AGREEMENTBoth camps report the UN chief praising Pakistan’s mediation and urging an end to the conflict, but left-leaning coverage highlights Pakistan’s “pivotal role” and links peace to Palestinian self-determination, while centrist coverage stresses Pakistan as a “trusted” mediator and notes the roadmap for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
LEFT
Left-leaning coverage frames the story as lauding Pakistan’s pivotal diplomatic role and connecting regional peace to broader issues like Palestinian self-determination.
CENTER
Centrist coverage frames the story as emphasizing Pakistan’s status as a trusted mediator and the practical steps toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz and achieving Middle-East peace.
The left emphasises
- Pakistan’s “pivotal role” in easing U.S.-Iran tensions
- call to “end the conflict, return to diplomacy”
- linking lasting peace to “self-determination of the Palestinian people”
How this story developed
- Sep 14 Trump says United States remains open to talks with Iran to end war
- Sep 22 At the UN General Assembly, Donald Trump suggested the United States might completely destroy Iran to end the war he started with Israel.
- Sep 22 Trump scheduled to deliver a speech at the UN General Assembly and hold bilateral talks with leaders from Britain, Ukraine, Venezuela, Denmark, Greenland and Gulf states.
- Sep 22 Trump announced a three‑hour US‑Iran meeting at the UN.
- Sep 22 Trump hinted at a possible face‑to‑face meeting between the tycoon and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian at the UN.
- Sep 23 Ashley Hinson posted on X calling for an immediate end to the war in Iran.
- Sep 23 Trump reported a meeting between US and Iranian officials at the UN summit.
- Sep 24 The Senate voted down the war‑powers resolution.
- Sep 26 Trump’s UN speech introduced a direct threat to Iran and highlighted claimed peace achievements.
- Sep 27 Iran's foreign minister says Tehran is waiting for a US reply, via mediators, to its offer to reopen the Strait of Hormuz if Washington ends hostilities and releases frozen assets.
- Sep 27 Iran’s foreign minister warned Tehran could restart war over frozen assets.
- Sep 29 President Trump said U.S. negotiators will resume talks with Iran this week after rejecting Tehran's proposal.
- Sep 29 Brent crude rose about 4% to just over $107 a barrel after Donald Trump’s contradictory statements and the US announced the final withdrawal of its forces from Iraq.
- Oct 2 The administration emphasized managing public expectations about a rapid settlement with Iran.
In this story
Related stories
30 in this thread