WASHINGTON: Pakistan will get another opportunity to advance its diplomatic push for de-escalation in the Iran-US confrontation when Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar attends a high-level UN Security Council meeting convened by China on May 26, diplomatic sources told Dawn.

The debate, being held under China’s presidency of the Security Council, comes at a sensitive moment in regional diplomacy. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has also been invited to participate, although Tehran has yet to formally confirm his attendance.

According to the programme circulated at the UN, the ministerial-level debate will focus on “Maintenance of international peace and security: Upholding the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter and Strengthening the UN-centred International System”. The session will be chaired by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Diplomatic sources at the United Nations said Dar would arrive in New York on the night of May 25 after accompanying Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on his visit to China.

Besides Pakistan and Iran, several countries — including Cambodia, Costa Rica, Bahrain, Turkmenistan, the Czech Republic, Colombia and Azerbaijan — are expected to send their foreign ministers to the meeting.

All five permanent Security Council members — the United States, China, Russia, France and the United Kingdom — are also scheduled to attend.

Washington may be represented by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, although the United States has not officially confirmed his participation.

Pakistani officials have consistently urged a peaceful resolution of tensions in the Middle East while emphasising adherence to the UN Charter.

Published in Dawn, May 23rd, 2026