The Foreign Office on Thursday firmly rejected reports alleging that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar shared information regarding Iran’s nuclear programme during a recent meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, describing the claims as speculative and baseless.

Speaking at a weekly press briefing, spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said the allegations were unfounded and appeared aimed at undermining ongoing diplomatic engagements to ease US-Iran tensions.

Andrabi said Dar’s meeting with Rubio on May 29 included a detailed exchange of views on developments in the Middle East and other regional issues.

He added that Pakistan welcomed the United States’ constructive role in efforts to secure peace between Lebanon and Israel.

Referring to reports of a ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel brokered through US efforts, the spokesperson described the development as encouraging and expressed hope for lasting peace in the region.

Responding to a question on the water aggression by India, Andrabi said Pakistan had taken note of reports that New Delhi had invited bids for the Chenab-Beas Link Tunnel project, which aims to divert up to 1.9 million acre-feet of water annually from the Chenab River to the Beas River.

He said any diversion of waters from the Chenab constituted a serious violation of the Indus Waters Treaty.

The spokesperson also raised concerns over a proposed sediment-flushing project at the Salal Dam, saying both initiatives violated the Indus Waters Treaty, the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, and international water laws.

According to Andrabi, India neither provided prior notification nor held consultations with Pakistan regarding the projects.

He warned that attempts to use water as a political tool were dangerous and could threaten Pakistan’s economy and regional stability.

“Pakistan will not accept India’s illegal attempts against its water security and reserves all options to protect its rights,” he said.

On Afghanistan, the spokesperson said Pakistan’s advocacy of dialogue also applied to relations with Kabul and that there were no restrictions on negotiations or diplomatic engagement with Afghanistan.

However, he stressed that Pakistan could not allow the continuation of terrorist attacks originating from Afghan territory.

Andrabi said he was not aware of any planned Pakistan-Afghanistan talks in Istanbul.

Commenting on broader regional diplomacy, he said temporary setbacks in the Middle East should not discourage efforts toward peace and reiterated Pakistan’s optimism regarding ongoing negotiations.

He added that Pakistan remained willing to host a future round of talks between Iran and the United States if requested.