Islamabad

The foreign ministers of Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia met in Islamabad today to seek a diplomatic solution to the war. It is the first multilateral summit dedicated exclusively to mediating the conflict. Pakistan, which has served as a channel between Washington and Tehran since the start of hostilities, acts as host and facilitator. Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed his country has been relaying messages between the sides and that Iran is "deliberating" on the 15-point American proposal.

Pakistan secured a concrete result: Iran agreed to let 20 Pakistani-flagged ships cross the Strait of Hormuz, two per day. Dar called it "a welcome and constructive gesture" and "a harbinger of peace." The ships cross with Pakistani navy escort. It is the first transit agreement since Iran closed the strait a month ago.

The Islamabad table does not have the United States or Israel seated. Nor Iran. It is four Muslim countries with ties to all the actors, trying to build a bridge between parties that do not even admit they are talking. China pressed Araghchi to accept talks. The IAEA chief said conversations could happen soon in Pakistan. Diplomacy is advancing, but at the speed of communiqués while the war advances at the speed of missiles.