Pakistan PM Sharif visits Doha as regional mediation gathers pace for US–Iran talks
With the fragile ceasefire holding and signs of de-escalation emerging, Pakistan’s mediation efforts to revive US–Iran talks are gathering pace, reflecting a broader push to contain tensions across the Middle East.
Published on 16/04/2026 - 17:55 GMT+2
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif travelled to Doha on Thursday for talks with Qatar’s leadership as momentum builds for a possible new round of negotiations between the US and Iran to end the ongoing war.
The meeting comes as the fragile ceasefire continues to hold and diplomatic contacts between Washington and Tehran show signs of picking up again.
US President Donald Trump suggested that talks could take place within days, potentially in Pakistan, while UN Secretary-General António Guterres said it is “highly probable” that discussions will restart.
Sharif’s visit to Qatar follows a stop in Saudi Arabia and comes ahead of meetings in Turkey, as Islamabad pushes on with its mediation efforts to secure a second round of talks between the two sides.
Tehran mediation effort
Pakistan’s mediation effort is unfolding across several channels. In parallel with Sharif’s visit, the country’s army chief Asim Munir travelled to Tehran for talks officials described as part of ongoing efforts to sustain dialogue.
Munir met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, with both sides stressing the need to avoid further escalation.
Islamabad has already hosted direct talks between US and Iranian officials, which ended without an agreement, and is now seeking to secure a second round of negotiations before the current ceasefire expires, in what officials see as a narrowing window for diplomacy.
In Doha, Sharif held talks that also touched on regional coordination, with Qatar remaining a key, if cautious, player in mediation efforts.
During the meeting, Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Sharif discussed de-escalation, with Doha signalling support for Pakistan’s role in sustaining dialogue between Washington and Tehran.
The talks also pointed to growing concern among Gulf states over energy flows and maritime security.
The discussions follow a call between Emir Al Thani and Trump on the impact of the conflict on global energy markets and supply chains.
Earlier in the tour, Sharif met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, and is also due to attend the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey, where he is expected to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
The push for talks comes as pressure on Tehran continues, including a US naval blockade of Iranian ports.
Both sides have signalled that communication channels remain open, raising the prospect that talks could resume even as key differences remain unresolved.
