New Delhi, Mar 24: Amid reports that US and Iran may hold talks in Islamabad for ending the four-week old Middle East war, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held telephone talks on Tuesday (today) on the latest developments in the region.

The talks between the two leaders follow telephonic conversation between Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on March 23 (yesterday).

‘’They discussed the latest regional developments. DPM/FM emphasised the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to promote peace, security, and stability in the region and beyond. Both sides agreed to remain in close contact on the evolving situation,’’ Pakistan Foreign Ministry said.

Reports said on Tuesday that Pakistan is trying to position itself as the mediator between the two warring factions and trying for hosting the talks in Islamabad, although there is no confirmation of the reports.

Iran’s Mehr News Agency (MNA) said on Tuesday that President Pezeshkian and Shehbaz Sharif discussed bilateral relations, regional developments, and the implications of the “illegal war” by the United States and Israel for regional and global security.

Pezeshkian called on Islamic nations not to allow the use of their territory or resources for attacks against Iran by the United States or Israel. He said if regional countries cannot prevent the continuation of war, they should at least not facilitate continued actions against Iran.

Sharif called for collective efforts by regional countries, particularly Muslim nations, to de-escalate tensions and restore lasting peace and stability.