Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Tuesday that his country was ready to host talks between the United States and Iran to reduce tensions and end the Middle East war.

“Subject to concurrence by the U.S. and Iran, Pakistan stands ready and honoured to be the host to facilitate meaningful and conclusive talks for a comprehensive settlement of the ongoing conflict,” Mr Sharif said in a post on X.

He added that Pakistan “fully supports ongoing efforts to pursue dialogue” in the interest of regional and global stability.

Islamabad’s offer comes amid reports that a meeting between the U.S. and Iranian officials could be held in Pakistan this week.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance, special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner are expected to represent the United States.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf is said to be heading a delegation from his country, according to reports and Pakistani officials.

The developments come a day after Mr Trump said he had postponed threatened attacks on Iranian energy facilities due to “productive talks” with Iran.

Pakistan’s military chief, General Asim Munir, spoke to Mr Trump on Sunday, the White House confirmed on Tuesday. Mr Sharif spoke to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday to convey a message from the U.S. president, officials told dpa.

The diplomatic push follows a meeting last week in Riyadh, where senior officials from Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Oman, and Saudi Arabia met to explore ways to end the conflict.

(dpa/NAN)