Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has announced that no transit or service charges will be imposed on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz during the 60-day implementation period of the US-Iran agreement.
Speaking in an interview with Al Arabiya TV, Dar said Pakistan played a key role in bringing the United States and Iran to the negotiating table for the first time in 47 years. He added that Islamabad worked closely with its regional and international partners to ensure the success of the mediation process.
Dar reiterated that both transit fees and service charges in the Strait of Hormuz have been waived for the next 60 days. He said the measure is intended to facilitate maritime trade and support the implementation of the recently signed peace agreement.
The foreign minister described the previous conflict between the United States and Iran as devastating, saying it had caused significant disruption to the global economy and increased uncertainty across international energy markets.
He also revealed that three technical teams are currently engaged in negotiations covering Iran’s nuclear programme, frozen financial assets and the situation in Lebanon. According to Dar, the committees are working to resolve the remaining issues and implement the commitments outlined in the broader agreement.
The announcement came as Qatar confirmed the formal launch of US-Iran negotiations in Switzerland aimed at securing a permanent end to the Middle East conflict.
In a statement, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said the “Lake Lucerne Summit” had begun with the first meeting of a high-level committee comprising representatives from the United States, Iran and mediating countries Pakistan and Qatar.
The technical discussions are expected to advance the implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and lay the groundwork for a comprehensive agreement addressing regional security, economic cooperation and Iran’s long-disputed nuclear programme.
