Direct talks between the United States and Iran on ending the war could take place in Islamabad as soon as this week, according to a Pakistani official and another source familiar with the matter. The potential meeting signals a possible shift toward direct engagement after a period of indirect communication.

Egypt, Pakistan and Gulf states have been relaying messages between Tehran and Washington, a European official said, helping to facilitate dialogue amid heightened regional tensions. Diplomatic efforts have intensified as concerns grow over the broader impact of the conflict.

Iranian media reported that President Masoud Pezeshkian and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif discussed the war’s implications for regional and global security during a phone call. Pezeshkian said Iran remains committed to preserving stability, countering foreign interference and strengthening cooperation with regional countries.