Pakistani Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar meets US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, DC, to discuss regional and global developments and review US-Pakistan relations. Pakistan’s foreign ministry says the talks focus on strengthening cooperation in priority areas and on Islamabad’s efforts to promote regional peace and stability through dialogue and diplomacy. Several outlets report the meeting takes place amid ongoing diplomatic efforts involving Washington and Tehran. Pakistan has played a mediation role between the US and Iran in recent months, including helping negotiate a temporary ceasefire announced in April. Reuters reporting included in Al-Monitor says Iran and the United States have reached an initial understanding aimed at extending that April ceasefire and easing restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, though a broader agreement is not yet concluded. Pakistan’s officials describe the meeting with Rubio as “warm and cordial,” with Rubio acknowledging Pakistan’s diplomatic and mediation efforts. Dar is expected to return to Islamabad after the talks, which also come around the same time as Rubio’s travel in the region.