Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar, in Washington on Friday, as President Trump considered a peace deal to end his war with Iran.
Mr. Rubio thanked Mr. Dar for his “constructive role” in mediating negotiations between Iran and the U.S. and said the country has been instrumental in realizing Mr. Trump’s vision for the Middle East.
“The Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister agreed upon the importance of working together to further strengthen a meaningful partnership that fosters security and prosperity for both Americans and Pakistanis,” State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement.
Mr. Rubio also expressed his condolences for the victims of the Balochistan Liberation Army terrorist attack in Quetta. The terror group carried out a suicide car bombing of a train carrying soldiers to Quetta on Sunday, killing at least 24 people.
The meeting comes as Mr. Trump met with administration officials to consider a developing peace proposal that could end the war in Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Mr. Trump said earlier Friday that he was preparing to make a “final determination” on the deal.
The details of the agreement have not been made publicly available. However, reports indicate that it would initiate a 60-day memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran that would extend the ongoing ceasefire and allow negotiators space to discuss more complex issues such as Iran’s nuclear program.
The MOU would also remove Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and slowly ease the U.S. blockade of Iranian naval ports.
