Dar made the remarks during a meeting with US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker in Islamabad on Friday, where the two sides discussed Pakistan-US bilateral relations, cooperation and recent developments in the region.

According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office, the meeting covered bilateral ties, cooperation in various areas and the evolving regional situation.

Baker appreciated Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability, the statement said.

Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to protecting its national interests while contributing to peace and security in the region.

He stressed that implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum was the only solution to achieving lasting peace in the region.

The memorandum, reached through Pakistan’s mediation between Iran and the United States on June 18, is set to expire within days. Under the agreement, Iran and the US had agreed to resolve issues, including a ceasefire and a permanent end to the conflict, through negotiations.

However, tensions escalated in July after disagreements between the two sides over the security of the Strait of Hormuz and other issues. The US launched airstrikes on Iran, prompting Tehran to target US interests in Gulf countries.

Pakistan has continued diplomatic efforts to promote a lasting peace in the Middle East.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi recently met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran. Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and other senior officials from both countries also attended the meeting.

Iranian media subsequently reported that recent diplomatic efforts by Pakistan and Qatar had given fresh impetus to regional peace efforts. Turkish news agency Anadolu also reported that Naqvi had shared new proposals with the Iranian leadership during the meeting.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also recently indicated that talks between the US and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz could yield a breakthrough soon.

In an interview with Bloomberg, Asif said developments were moving towards peace and that signals emerging over the previous few days suggested the issue was close to being resolved.