UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations on Monday expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s efforts to mediate between the United States and Iran, with Secretary-General António Guterres’ spokesperson calling Pakistan’s role “critical” in efforts to end the conflict.
Speaking at the U.N. headquarters in New York, spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said Guterres was “very grateful and appreciative” of the efforts by Pakistan’s leadership, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the country’s army chief, to mediate between Washington and Tehran.
Dujarric said the understanding reached in Islamabad was “a great achievement” and emphasized that Pakistan had played a critical role alongside other countries involved in the diplomatic effort.
“The Secretary-General has stayed in very close touch with the Pakistani leadership” and sought to assist toward the shared goal of ending the conflict, Dujarric said.
Pakistan has hosted talks aimed at reducing tensions between the United States and Iran and has continued diplomatic efforts to facilitate further engagement. The U.N. has previously welcomed Pakistan’s mediation efforts and called for continued diplomacy between the two sides.
Asked whether the United Nations would encourage a possible meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during the U.N. General Assembly in New York, Dujarric reiterated the U.N.’s support for dialogue.
“We always support dialogue,” he said, adding that renewed engagement between the United States and Iran could help bring an end to the ongoing conflict, which he said was hurting many people.
The comments came as world leaders and senior officials gathered in New York for the opening of the 81st U.N. General Assembly high-level session.
The U.N. has repeatedly urged Washington and Tehran to return to diplomacy and has credited Pakistan, along with other regional countries, with supporting efforts to reduce tensions and facilitate negotiations.
Earlier U.N. statements also described the Islamabad talks as a meaningful step toward renewed dialogue and thanked Pakistan for hosting the negotiations.
