Pakistan Reaffirms Unwavering Position on Palestine Amid Abraham Accords Query

WASHINGTON: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stated on Friday that Pakistan remains steadfast in its longstanding position on Palestine and Gaza, emphasizing that any shift in its approach toward Israel depends on the creation of an independent Palestinian state.

He made these remarks during a press conference held at Pakistan’s embassy in Washington following a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Dar was questioned about reports that President Donald Trump had abandoned his advocacy for Muslim nations to join the Abraham Accords as part of a possible agreement with Iran. This speculation emerged because Trump omitted the topic from a Friday statement that outlined potential deal components.

Dar did not address the query directly. Instead, he noted that he had reaffirmed Pakistan’s stance during his recent engagements at the United Nations earlier in the week.

“Pakistan remains steadfast in its position on Palestine and Gaza,” Dar said, adding that Israel must work toward establishing a Palestinian state before any alteration in Pakistan’s stance toward Israel is possible.

The Abraham Accords, brokered during Trump’s 2020 administration, establish frameworks for the normalization of diplomatic relations between Israel and previously hostile countries.

In an extensive social media post on Monday, Trump enumerated nations whose leaders he engaged over the weekend regarding efforts to resolve tensions with Iran.

“After extensive U.S. efforts to piece together this complex puzzle, it is essential that all these countries sign onto the Abraham Accords simultaneously,” he wrote.

“The countries discussed include Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (already a participant), Qatar, Pakistan, Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan, and Bahrain (already a participant),” he added.

The nations highlighted by Trump — including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar — have traditionally championed a two-state solution for Palestine and Israel as a prerequisite for any normalization talks with Israel.

Mediation efforts appreciated

During the press conference, Dar stated that Washington “deeply appreciates” Pakistan’s efforts to ease tensions between Iran and the United States, noting that this acknowledgment was expressed during his meeting with the U.S. Secretary of State.

The statement further highlighted the two sides’ agreement on the importance of strengthening a meaningful partnership that fosters security and prosperity for both Americans and Pakistanis.

Later, Rubio shared the same sentiment on his X platform.

In a separate statement released by State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott, Washington noted that Rubio had met with Dar in Washington and discussed bilateral cooperation as well as regional security matters.

It further mentioned that Rubio expressed condolences for the victims of the terrorist attack in Quetta on Sunday, a suicide bombing that targeted a shuttle train, killing more than ten people and injuring several others.

“The secretary and the deputy prime minister agreed on the importance of working together to further strengthen a meaningful partnership that fosters security and prosperity for both Americans and Pakistanis,” the statement said.

“They also agreed to advance the Pak-US partnership, driven by high-level exchanges and shared interests in regional peace, security, and prosperity,” it added.

Dar also separately remarked on the “very good” meeting with Rubio, stating, “It is always a pleasure to engage with him on further strengthening Pak-US bilateral relations and advancing our shared goals of peace, stability, and prosperity for our two countries and the wider region.”

During the press conference, Dar maintained a cautious tone consistent with the official statements, emphasizing that he could not disclose further details of his discussions with Rubio and other American and Iranian officials. He added, however, that he remained highly hopeful that Pakistan’s efforts would contribute to comprehensive peace in the Middle East.

“Pakistan cannot compromise its role as a mediator by disclosing details of the talks, as we are deeply invested in the peace process,” he said, noting that both the United States and Iran valued Pakistan’s approach.

The foreign minister noted that he and his team, including Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, were “very satisfied” with their talks with Secretary Rubio.

“We are the mediators and, as such, we are required to maintain secrecy,” he said, adding that both the United States and Iran valued Pakistan’s approach.

Dar said that not only the United States and Iran but also countries worldwide have been appreciating Pakistan’s efforts.

“The mediation has garnered global recognition for us, much like our victory against India [in May 2025],” he added.

Dar noted that Qatar, Oman, and several other countries had shown interest in hosting the talks, but Pakistan was selected due to its close and friendly relations with all parties to the conflict.

When asked whether the United States’ traditionally transactional relationship with Pakistan could evolve into a more substantive, strategic partnership, Dar replied that during Friday’s meeting he proposed initiating substantive discussions on such a partnership, and that Rubio accepted the proposal.

Rubio also agreed to visit Pakistan later this year, though he did not specify whether the next round of U.S.-Pakistan talks would take place in Islamabad. He emphasized that Pakistan would continue to play a pivotal role in the process.

Dar traveled to New York earlier in the week to take part in a China-sponsored discussion at the UN Security Council on the role of the United Nations in resolving global disputes. He arrived in Washington for his meeting with Rubio on Friday, where he was greeted by Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, along with senior embassy officials.

The visit occurs amid reports in U.S. media that American and Iranian negotiators have edged toward extending their fragile ceasefire for an additional 60 days.

However, the potential breakthrough remains contingent on President Trump’s approval, as he indicated on Friday that he was making a “final determination” regarding the Iran deal.

U.S. sources confirmed reporting by Axios that the two sides had reached a memorandum of understanding to extend the ceasefire and initiate negotiations on Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Under the proposed agreement, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz would be unrestricted, with no tolls or harassment; Iran would remove all mines within 30 days; and the United States would lift its naval blockade if commercial traffic resumes, Axios reported.

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