Special Correspondent: Pakistan remained front and centre at the United Nations on Tuesday as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar led a flurry of diplomatic engagements on the sidelines of the 81st General Assembly session, pushing for a negotiated settlement to the US-Iran war that has rattled global trade and energy markets.

Although Prime Minister Sharif is scheduled to address the General Assembly on Thursday, he found a mention in US President Donald Trump`s speech. Trump called him a terrific man, quoting the prime minister as saying that Trump had saved 30 million lives and more through his mediation efforts in conflicts including Pakistan-India, Thailand-Cambodia, Armenia-Azerbaijan and Gaza.

Pakistan`s mediation push between Washington and Tehran appeared to gain traction. After sending mixed signals in his UNGA address, President Trump told reporters after a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that his team had held a three-hour meeting with an Iranian delegation on the sidelines of the General Assembly.

It was a very good meeting, Trump said, adding that another meeting was scheduled in the very near future and describing the choice for Tehran as greatness or obliteration.

According to diplomatic sources at the United Nations, Pakistan has been quietly but persistently urging both sides to maintain indirect contacts and remain open to direct talks. The effort was reinforced by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi`s visit to Tehran a day earlier, where he met President Masoud Pezeshkian and Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni. Iranian officials appreciated Pakistan`s role in promoting regional peace.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres also acknowledged Islamabad`s efforts. His spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Guterres was very grateful and appreciative of Pakistan`s leadership, calling its role critical and describing the understanding reached as a great achievement. Dujarric said the UN always supports dialogue and that renewed engagement between Washington and Tehran could help end a conflict that is hurting a lot of people.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Dar participated in a ministerial meeting of the Regional-4 group with foreign ministers of Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. The Foreign Office said Dar reaffirmed Pakistan`s commitment to the R-4 framework and the need for continued engagement for regional peace and prosperity.

Iranian President Pezeshkian is expected to address the General Assembly on Wednesday as Tehran signals its delegation in New York has authority to pursue diplomacy, while Washington says it remains open to talks that could yield a positive result.