Four-Nation Islamabad Summit Pushes for US-Iran Talks — Pakistan Secures 20-Ship Hormuz Deal

Foreign ministers from Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia met in Islamabad on March 29 to pursue de-escalation, with Pakistan reconfirming its readiness to host direct US-Iran talks 'in coming days.' Pakistan separately announced it had secured Iran's agreement allowing 20 Pakistani-flagged vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz at a rate of 2 per day — a modest but concrete humanitarian concession. US Secretary of State Rubio told reporters the US has made 'concrete progress' in diplomatic talks and cited 'a growing amount of energy' flowing through the Strait of Hormuz. He described diplomacy as 'an ongoing and fluid process' while confirming it remains 'unclear who will even speak for the Iranians' in formal negotiations.