R-4 ministers’ meeting welcomes US-Iran Islamabad MoU, stresses regional peace

Pakistan and the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkiye on Sunday reaffirmed the importance of continued consultation and coordination among the four countries in support of peace and stability, while welcoming the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the United States and Iran.

The R-4 Ministerial meeting was held in Cairo, where FM Ishaq Dar, Saudi Arabia’s Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Turkiye’s Hakan Fidan and Egypt’s Dr Badr Abdelatty discussed regional and international developments.

According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office, the foreign ministers met in Cairo at the invitation of Egypt.

“The ministers expressed their deep appreciation to President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for sharing his vision of the region’s future as a guidance to the group’s efforts aiming at bringing stability to the Middle East,” the statement said.

Read: US-Iran talks begin in Switzerland, says Qatar

It added that the meeting provided an opportunity for a comprehensive exchange of views on regional and international developments, while reaffirming the importance of continued consultation and coordination among the four countries to support peace, security, stability, and prosperity in the Middle East and the broader region.

The four ministers welcomed the signing of the Islamabad MoU between the United States and Iran earlier this week, describing it as a significant step towards reducing tensions in the region.

“The minister viewed this important development as a constructive step towards de-escalation and towards ending a conflict which posed significant risks to regional security and stability, as well as to energy markets, international maritime routes, global supply chains, and international trade,” it said.

They also commended the efforts of regional and international actors that helped facilitate the understanding and stressed the importance of implementing the commitments undertaken by the parties concerned.

“The ministers emphasised the importance of the faithful implementation of the commitments undertaken by the parties concerned,” the statement said.

The foreign ministers of Turkiye, Egypt and Saudi Arabia also praised Pakistan’s role in helping secure the agreement and acknowledged Qatar’s support during the negotiations.

“The ministers lauded the instrumental efforts of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in reaching this historic outcome, along with the support extended by the State of Qatar to bring about a successful conclusion to the negotiations on the MoU,” the statement said.

They also appreciated Pakistan’s close coordination with the three countries throughout the process.

Building on the momentum generated by the agreement, the ministers underscored the need for the swift and successful completion of the next phase of negotiations aimed at resolving remaining issues through a lasting, verifiable and mutually acceptable arrangement.

“The ministers stressed that the positive momentum created by the MoU should be sustained through continued dialogue and negotiations,” the statement said.

The meeting also highlighted the importance of addressing the concerns of countries in the region, particularly regarding the security and stability of the Gulf Arab states and the Levant.

“The ministers emphasised that regional security considerations must remain central to efforts aimed at strengthening collective security and promoting long-term stability,” the statement added.

Reaffirming the centrality of the Palestinian issue to peace and stability in the Middle East, the ministers said the Palestinian cause remained at the heart of efforts to achieve a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the region.

Particular attention was devoted to the humanitarian and political situation in Gaza, the West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem.

The ministers reiterated their support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

“The ministers reaffirmed that the establishment of an independent Palestinian State remains an indispensable foundation for achieving a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the region in accordance with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions,” the statement said.

Dar, R-4 ministers call on Egyptian president

Separately, Dar joined the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Egypt in a joint call on Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in Cairo, where the leaders discussed regional developments and reaffirmed commitments to peace, stability and cooperation, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the meeting, the deputy prime minister conveyed warm greetings and best wishes from country’s top civil and military leadership.

“The Deputy Prime Minister conveyed the warm greetings and best wishes of President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir to President El-Sisi,” said the statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, adding that he reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening its “longstanding, brotherly, and multifaceted relations with Egypt.”

The foreign minister also appreciated the recent momentum in bilateral ties and welcomed President El-Sisi’s acceptance of an invitation to visit Pakistan.

“The Deputy Prime Minister noted with appreciation the positive momentum generated through recent high-level exchanges between Pakistan and Egypt,” the statement added.

He expressed the hope that leadership-level exchanges between the two countries would take place “at the earliest mutually convenient opportunity.”

According to the statement, the meeting provided an opportunity for an exchange of views on regional and international developments, particularly the evolving situation in the Middle East, with emphasis on dialogue, diplomacy and de-escalation.

President El-Sisi, in response, conveyed reciprocal greetings and appreciated Pakistan’s role in promoting regional diplomacy.

“President El-Sisi appreciated Pakistan’s constructive and responsible role in promoting dialogue, de-escalation, and diplomatic engagement in the region,” the statement said, adding that he also commended the efforts of Pakistan’s leadership in promoting regional peace and stability.

He expressed hope that ongoing diplomatic efforts and the next phase of negotiations would help secure “lasting peace, security, and prosperity across the wider region.”

The leaders also discussed consultations held under the R-4 framework involving Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.

“They underscored the growing significance of the R-4 as an important platform for structured dialogue, strategic consultation, and policy coordination on issues of common interest,” the statement said.

They expressed confidence that continued engagement would help advance peace, stability and economic cooperation across the region.

Later, Ishaq Dar held a separate meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr Badr Abdelatty on the sidelines of the R-4 meeting, where both sides reviewed bilateral relations and regional developments.

“The two ministers reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction at the positive momentum in Pakistan-Egypt ties,” the statement said.

They reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation in political, economic, defence, health and pharmaceutical, and multilateral fields, and agreed to strengthen existing institutional mechanisms.

The two sides also exchanged views on regional developments, particularly the situation in the Middle East, and welcomed a recently reached peace agreement.

“They welcomed the recently reached peace agreement and expressed hope that its effective implementation would contribute to lasting peace, stability, and prosperity in the region,” the statement added.

The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the “close and brotherly relations” between Pakistan and Egypt.

Dar says US-Iran talks have advanced greatly

Meanwhile, FM Dar said that issues between the US and Iran have advanced “greatly”.

In an interview with Al Arabiya during his visit to Cairo, Dar expressed “trust” that both sides would ultimately reach a final agreement.

He added that the next phase of negotiations between Washington and Tehran would be “more difficult”.

Dar said that it was agreed to reduce the enrichment level of Iran’s nuclear stockpile and that the two sides reached a conclusion that diplomacy was the solution.

He also said no transit fees would be imposed in the Strait of Hormuz during the 60 days, adding that there would be no charges for either “transit” or “services”.

Dar further said that three technical teams are currently in Switzerland to discuss the nuclear issue, frozen Iranian assets and the situation in Lebanon.

US and Iranian delegations are in Switzerland for talks, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday to end months of conflict in the Middle East and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The talks in Burgenstock are led by US Vice President JD Vance, and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on the Iranian side, under Pakistani mediation.