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Pakistan's ambassador to the UN, Asim Iftikhar Ahmadm, speaking to Rudaw in New York on April 17, 2026. Photo: Screengrab / Rudaw
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Pakistan is maintaining contact with both the United States and Iran at “very high levels” and continues to facilitate indirect dialogue between the two sides, Pakistan’s ambassador to the United Nations said, as Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz open to commercial shipping during a ceasefire period.
“We are in touch with all sides, including Iran, including the US at very high levels. And you know, there are exchange[s] of messages, and our role is basically to facilitate. And you've seen the results already. The first round was there, so the effort is to continue this dialogue,” Asim Iftikhar Ahmad told Rudaw.
Tehran on Friday declared the Strait of Hormuz “completely open” for commercial shipping during the ceasefire period, while also warning that access could be restricted again if hostilities resume. US President Donald Trump, meanwhile, said the Strait is “fully open and ready for passage” but warned of continued pressure on Iran, including measures targeting Iranian maritime activity.
“All the discussions are ongoing. [The] effort is to try to see that this dialog process continues and that, you know, the ceasefire, which is there till the 21st perhaps also need to be extended, so all of these things are being discussed,” he said.
The comments come after high-level US and Iranian delegations met in Islamabad on Sunday in talks mediated with Pakistani facilitation, but the negotiations ended without a final agreement. The US delegation included Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Donald Trump’s adviser Jared Kushner, while Iran was represented by parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
“I don't want to prejudge anything that is being discussed between the parties, but we are facilitating this dialog through exchange of messages,” Ahmad added, saying that “the signs are good” regarding US-Iran engagement.
The meeting followed a two-week ceasefire agreement reached last week between Washington and Tehran after nearly 40 days of conflict that began on February 28, when the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran. Tehran responded with drone and missile attacks and later tightened control over the Strait of Hormuz, restricting maritime movement through the strategic waterway.
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