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UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations on Monday expressed appreciation for Pakistan\u2019s efforts to mediate between the United States and Iran, with Secretary-General Ant\u00f3nio Guterres\u2019 spokesperson calling Pakistan\u2019s role \u201ccritical\u201d in efforts to end the conflict.<\/strong><\/p>\n Speaking at the U.N. headquarters in New York, spokesperson St\u00e9phane Dujarric said Guterres was \u201cvery grateful and appreciative\u201d of the efforts by Pakistan\u2019s leadership, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the country\u2019s army chief, to mediate between Washington and Tehran.<\/p>\n Dujarric said the understanding reached in Islamabad was \u201ca great achievement\u201d and emphasized that Pakistan had played a critical role alongside other countries involved in the diplomatic effort.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Secretary-General has stayed in very close touch with the Pakistani leadership\u201d and sought to assist toward the shared goal of ending the conflict, Dujarric said.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s mediation efforts and called for continued diplomacy between the two sides.<\/p>\n 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.\u2019s support for dialogue.<\/p>\n \u201cWe always support dialogue,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Earlier U.N. statements also described the Islamabad talks as a meaningful step toward renewed dialogue and thanked Pakistan for hosting the negotiations.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n