{"id":69965,"date":"2026-10-23T17:32:08","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T17:32:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/?p=69965"},"modified":"2026-10-24T09:37:13","modified_gmt":"2026-10-24T09:37:13","slug":"mediation-on-us-iran-efforts-for-opening-of-straits-widening-r4-e3-italy-foreign-ministers-meet-in-istanbul-agree-on-continued-engagements-for-peace-safe-navigation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/mediation-on-us-iran-efforts-for-opening-of-straits-widening-r4-e3-italy-foreign-ministers-meet-in-istanbul-agree-on-continued-engagements-for-peace-safe-navigation\/","title":{"rendered":"Mediation on US Iran & Efforts for Opening of Straits Widening – R4 + E3-Italy Foreign Ministers Meet in Istanbul – Agree on Continued Engagements for Peace & Safe Navigation"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Report : Tazeen Akhtar<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Foreign Ministers of the Republic of T\u00fcrkiye, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (R4), as well as the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom met in \u0130stanbul on 23 October 2026.<\/p>\n

The Ministers discussed various issues of regional and international importance, namely US\/Israel-Iran conflict, Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the need for a negotiated two-state solution, the appalling Houthi militia attacks against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of Yemen, safety and freedom of navigation, escalated tension in Straits of Hormuz and Bab El Mandeb and the Black Sea.<\/p>\n

They expressed their commitment to continue contributing towards diplomatic efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability in the region and beyond, and addressing the security, economic and trade implications of these issues.<\/p>\n

The Ministers agreed on the urgent need to address regional conflicts through dialogue, diplomacy and de-escalation. In accordance with the relevant UN Resolutions, they emphasized the need for finding lasting negotiated solutions to all outstanding conflicts.<\/p>\n

Istanbul hosted on 23 October 2026 the first-ever joint meeting between the newly formed R4 Group and the European powers in R4 + E3 + Italy format \u2014 eight countries in total \u2014 at the initiative of T\u00fcrkiye.<\/p>\n

What is R4? The R4 group, comprising Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and T\u00fcrkiye, emerged in March 2026 and has been focusing on regional security and mediation efforts between the United States and Iran. Three of its members \u2014 T\u00fcrkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan \u2014 are signatories to the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, a mutual defence pact set up in August 2026.<\/p>\n

The pact establishes a defence alliance aimed at strengthening security through joint deterrence and is not directed against any other country. Pakistan confirmed completion of ratification on 23 October itself.<\/p>\n

What is E3? The E3 group \u2014 Britain, France and Germany \u2014 was set up more than 20 years ago to advance diplomatic coordination over Iran’s nuclear program. Italy joined this Istanbul meeting as the 8th participant.
\nThe meeting was held in two phases:
\nPhase 1: 6th Meeting of R4 Foreign Ministers
\nPhase 2: First R4 + France, Germany, Italy and UK Ministerial Meeting<\/p>\n

Venue: A hotel overlooking the Bosphorus, Istanbul. 2.<\/p>\n

PARTICIPANTS :<\/p>\n

The Host H.E. Hakan Fidan, Foreign Minister of T\u00fcrkiye
\nChair of both meetings. Veteran diplomat and former head of Turkish Intelligence. Fidan initiated this new format to promote “regional ownership” \u2014 arguing that countries in the region should take primary responsibility for their own security and prevent disputes from escalating. He also held separate bilateral meetings on the sidelines with British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.<\/p>\n

H.E. Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Deputy Prime Minister \/ Foreign Minister of Pakistan
\nArrived in Istanbul for a one-day visit. He was received by Ambassador Cihad Erginay, DG at Turkish MFA, Pakistan’s Charg\u00e9 d’Affaires Shaiq Ahmed, Consul General in Istanbul Khawaja Khurram Naeem, and Additional Secretary Ambassador Khalil Hashmi. Dar is Pakistan’s lead mediator in current Gulf tensions.<\/p>\n

H.R.H. Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia – Key R4 member and signatory of Makkah Defence Agreement. His security concerns against Houthi attacks were central to the agenda.<\/p>\n

H.E. Badr Abdelatty, Foreign Minister of Egypt – Egypt joined the R4 this year, expanding the Makkah pact core. Participated in both R4 and R4+ meetings.<\/p>\n

Field Marshal’s Fifth Mission of Mediation in Tehran | No Breakthrough | Ball is in US’ Court | Iran Makes Clear – by Tazeen Akhtar<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n