Pakistan's prime minister offers to host peace talks between US, Iran

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday offered to host peace talks between the U.S. and Iran to end the war in the Middle East.

"Pakistan welcomes and fully supports ongoing efforts to pursue dialogue to end the WAR in Middle East, in the interest of peace and stability in region and beyond," Sharif posted on X. "Subject to concurrence by the US and Iran, Pakistan stands ready and honoured to be the host to facilitate meaningful and conclusive talks for a comprehensive settlement of the ongoing conflict."

Sharif tagged President Trump, U.S. special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in the post.

The U.S. and Israel began the war last month by striking Iran after failing to reach an agreement with the Islamic country regarding its nuclear program.

Iran has since attacked countries hosting U.S. bases, striking Gulf states' energy infrastructure, and effectively closing the Strait ​of Hormuz, a conduit for a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas.

A Pakistani government source said discussions about a meeting were at an ​advanced stage and if they did occur, "a big 'if,'" then it would take place within a week, Reuters reported.

Trump said on Monday that the U.S. and Iran had held "very good and productive" conversations about a "complete and total resolution of hostilities in the Middle East," prompting him to postpone for five days a plan to hit Iran's energy grid.

However, Iran denied Trump's claim that any talks had been held.