The Foreign Office (FO) on Thursday refuted reports that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar shared any intelligence regarding Iran’s nuclear programme during a meeting with United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Dar met with Rubio on May 29 during a brief visit to Washington, where the two discussed bilateral cooperation as well as regional security issues. Rubio had praised Islamabad’s role “in advancing peace in the Middle East”. Responding to queries during a weekly press briefing on Thursday, FO Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Islamabad “categorically and unequivocally” rejected claims made in certain media reports that Dar shared any intelligence regarding Iran with Rubio. “Such claims are entirely baseless, speculative, and appear to be aimed at undermining ongoing diplomatic efforts and the broader process of dialogue and engagement,” he said. Emphasising that the discussion between Dar and Rubio “focused on regional peace, stability, and the importance of pursuing diplomatic solutions to ongoing challenges”, Andrabi asserted that “no intelligence was shared during the course of this dialogue”. Welcoming the “continued engagement” of the US in peace efforts and its “positive role” in the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, he cautioned the media against “speculative and unwarranted reports”. A journalist had asked Andrabi about media reports that Dar had allegedly shared intelligence with Rubio regarding Iran, “including possible signals such as withdrawal from the NPT and the development of a nuclear weapon”. The reports, according to the journalist, had claimed that the information resulted in the US urging Israel to halt its attacks in Lebanon. The question came after former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) analyst Larry Johnson, quoting an unnamed source, claimed that Dar had a conversation with Rubio that “revealed what Iran is prepared to do to preserve its independence”, which allegedly “alarmed” Rubio. Rubio had also responded to the claims during a congressional hearing on Wednesday. US Congressman Scott Perry asked him if Dar had delivered a message that Iran is “prepared to demonstrate a nuclear weapon should the current escalation continue”. “I have not seen that reporting and I am not aware of any such message,” Rubio responded. Perry again referred to the reports, to which Rubio said that no such message had been delivered. “I would be surprised if that message had been relayed. I would be aware of it if it was,” he said. The US-Iran conflict is currently stalemated in a shaky ceasefire struck in April, which was followed by historic direct talks between the warring parties hosted by Pakistan. Though daily strikes throughout Iran and the Gulf have stopped since then, bursts of armed conflict have continued. The US and Iran exchanged attacks on each other’s military targets on Monday. After the US military carried out strikes near the Strait of Hormuz, Iran responded with a missile attack on Wednesday, damaging Kuwait’s airport and resulting in casualties. Since the conflict began, Iran has repeatedly attacked targets in the Gulf region home to US military bases. Meanwhile, Israel’s expanding front in Lebanon has proved to be the main spoiler in the peace process, with rising tensions even prompting US President Donald Trump to tell Israel’s PM Benjamin Netanyahu to halt the attacks. Nevertheless, diplomacy has continued with Trump under pressure to reach an agreement that would lift the US and Iranian competing blockades around the Strait of Hormuz, which have choked international oil supplies and threatened the global economy with rising prices. ‘Actively engaged’ to secure release of seamen held by Somali pirates On the continued captivity of 10 Pakistanis aboard an oil tanker seized by Somali pirates, the FO said Islamabad remained “actively engaged” in efforts to secure their release. The MT Honour 25, a Palau-flagged product tanker, was seized on April 21, approximately 30 nautical miles off Somalia’s Puntland region with 17 crew members aboard, 10 of them Pakistani. “Unfortunately, the situation remains grave,” Andrabi acknowledged when asked about the latest update on the situation, days after a video emerged showing the captives with discoloured water available for drinking. “Pakistan remains in contact with the ship owner, who is the principal negotiator with the pirates. These negotiations have been taking place with the knowledge of the Somali government,” the FO spokesperson stated. He explained that the “geographical circumstances, coupled with the fact that the ship is carrying highly explosive cargo, make any law-enforcement operation to secure the release of the captive extremely difficult”, as Pakistan did not want to endanger the safety of the captives. Families of the Pakistani hostage crew members of an oil tanker that was hijacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia, hold placards during a protest, calling on the government to take immediate action for the safe return of their loved ones, in Karachi on May 13, 2026. — Reuters/File The FO urged both the Somali government and the ship owner to ensure that the hostages were provided with food, drinking water, and other basic necessities. Relevant stakeholders, including the interior and maritime affairs ministries, were involved in the matter. “This is a very difficult situation. Our hearts go out to the families of those being held captive,” the spokesperson said, requesting patience from the families. “A team from our Embassy in Djibouti also visited Mogadishu to obtain first-hand information. Therefore, all channels of communication with both the ship owner and the Somali government remain open and active,” he revealed. Andrabi assured the media of the government’s “full attention and concern regarding this emergency situation”. ‘No responsible state can remain passive’: FO on Afghanistan Pakistan’s tensions with Afghanistan also came up during the press briefing. Andrabi was asked about the European Union’s (EU) top diplomat Kaja Kallas noting the “grave humanitarian consequences” of the recent fighting between the two neighbours and urging them to exercise restraint. The FO spokesperson replied: “No responsible state can remain passive when its civilians and security forces are repeatedly targeted. Therefore, we reserve the right to take all necessary measures to safeguard the lives and property of our nationals, based on the principles of necessity and as a measure of last resort.” He stressed that Pakistan adhered to the principles of distinction and proportionality and that any “defensive action” was directed against “legitimate targets under international law, including sanctuaries and bases used for planning terrorism and launching terrorist attacks against Pakistan”. The FO spokesperson further stated, “We will continue to take such actions when necessary, and this remains part of our dialogue with our international interlocutors.” Responding to another question before this, Andrabi had asserted that the EU understood Islamabad’s position, including “our right to defend ourselves and take action against terrorist incidents, particularly those emanating from Afghanistan”. Andrabi then referred to the joint statement issued on Kallas’s visit, which said both sides “reaffirmed the importance of combatting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations”. Both sides had also “expressed serious concerns over the presence of terrorist entities in Afghanistan and reiterated that Afghan territory must not be used to threaten or attack other countries”. Replying to another question, the FO official affirmed that there was “no bar on Pakistan pursuing dialogue and diplomacy with Afghanistan”. “Indeed, this is what we were doing until very recently, when terrorist attacks emanating from Afghanistan, with possible collusion from elements within the authorities there, surpassed a certain threshold of Pakistan’s patience. As a result, there were instances of border closures, and we also took certain actions in our border regions,” he recalled. Expressing Pakistan’s desire to pursue the path of diplomacy but also voicing its strong objection to the killing of Pakistani civilians and members of law enforcement agencies, Andrabi said: “We have adopted a position whereby we seek an unequivocal commitment from the Afghan side that its territory will not be used for terrorism against Pakistan.” The FO spokesperson said China’s Special Representative on Afghanistan Ambassador Yue Xiaoyong “held productive discussions on regional security” during his visit to Islamabad . “Pakistan and China agreed to strengthen coordination and synchronise their counterterrorism efforts in order to protect regional peace and security,” he said, adding that Islamabad appreciated Beijing’s constructive role on security issues in general. On the recent military cooperation agreement signed between Russia and Afghanistan, Andrabi responded, “The details are still being ascertained. At this stage, it would be premature to offer any comment on the matter.” India’s plans to divert Chenab water Meanwhile, the FO also denounced India’s plans to build a river-linking project to divert water from Chenab to the Beas river as a “grave violation” of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) and other international laws. Chenab forms at the confluence of the Chandra and Bhaga rivers in Lahaul and Spiti, Himachal Pradesh. The IWT, brokered by the World Bank in 1960, allocates the three western rivers — Indus, Jhelum and Chenab — to Pakistan, and the three eastern rivers — Ravi, Beas and Sutlej — to India. According to Indian news outlet CNBC TV18 , India will begin work on the proposed “Link-3 Project”, located on Chenab in Himachal Pradesh, on August 1. The project aims to divert surplus water from the Chenab river to the Beas basin and is estimated to cost 26.2 billion Indian rupees, as per ANI . Responding to a query, Andrabi said, “Yes, we have seen this report as well as the public tendered document issued by the government of India that India has invited bids for the Chenab-Beas Link Tunnel project with the intention of transferring 1.9m acre feet of water annually from Chenab into the Beas system. “Such an inter-basin diversion of water of the Chenab into the Beas system constitutes a grave violation of not just the IWT but also of the laws of treaty, particularly the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties , as well as the broader framework of international water law, including the principles reflected in the 1977 UN convention on watercourses,” he added. The FO spokesperson also highlighted India’s planned “silt flushing” of the Salal Dam in occupied Kashmir’s Reasi district. “This is a deeply concerning development. It would provide water control capability that is not permissible under either the Indus Waters Treaty or the 1978 Salal agreement,” he pointed out. Andrabi noted that India had neither officially communicated nor shared any notice of these projects nor has it sought consultations in this regard. “These projects confirm that India seeks to weaponise water. This carries dangerous implications not only for Pakistan’s economy but also for regional stability and international peace and security,” he stressed. Emphasising that Pakistan had “exercised restraint and responsibility” and remained committed to dialogue, Andrabi warned, “However, any illegal action, any illegal measure to endanger Pakistan’s water, food and economic security, as well as the survival and well-being of its 250 million people, is unacceptable.” He stated that such actions amount to “further destabilisation of South Asia, with potential grave consequences” for the entire region. “Under IWT, Pakistan is entitled to receive the unrestricted use of the water of the western rivers, and this is in lieu of the rights of the eastern rivers that were given to India,” Andrabi noted. The FO spokesperson asserted that Pakistan “retains all options necessary for safeguarding rights and entitlements under the treaty and to protect its vital national interests”. “Let me emphasise, we retain all options in this regard,” he reiterated. The FO urged the international community to call upon India to “desist from any form of water coercion, abandon projects that seek to stop, reduce or divert water flow legally belonging to Pakistan, and restore full and faithful implementation of the IWT”.
FO rejects reports of Dar sharing intelligence on Iran's nuclear programme during meeting with Rubio
The Foreign Office (FO) on Thursday refuted reports that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar shared any intelligence regarding Iran’s nuclear programme during a meeting with United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Dar met with Rubio on May 29 during a brief visit to Washington, where the two discussed bilateral cooperation as well as regional security issues. Rubio had praised Islamabad’s role “in advancing peace in the Middle East”. Responding to queries during a weekly press briefing on Thursday, FO Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Islamabad “categorically and unequivocally” rejected claims made in certain media reports that Dar shared any intelligence regarding Iran with Rubio. “Such claims are entirely baseless, speculative, and appear to be aimed at undermining ongoing diplomatic efforts and the broader process of dialogue and engagement,” he said. Emphasising that the discussion between Dar and Rubio “focused on regional peace, stability, and the importance of pursuing diplomatic solutions to ongoing challenges”, Andrabi asserted that “no intelligence was shared during the course of this dialogue”. Welcoming the “continued engagement” of the US in peace efforts and its “positive role” in the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, he cautioned the media against “speculative and unwarranted reports”. A journalist had asked Andrabi about media reports that Dar had allegedly shared intelligence with Rubio regarding Iran, “including possible signals such as withdrawal from the NPT and the development of a nuclear weapon”. The reports, according to the journalist, had claimed that the information resulted in the US urging Israel to halt its attacks in Lebanon. The question came after former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) analyst Larry Johnson, quoting an unnamed source, claimed that Dar had a conversation with Rubio that “revealed what Iran is prepared to do to preserve its independence”, which allegedly “alarmed” Rubio. Rubio had also responded to the claims during a congressional hearing on Wednesday. US Congressman Scott Perry asked him if Dar had delivered a message that Iran is “prepared to demonstrate a nuclear weapon should the current escalation continue”. “I have not seen that reporting and I am not aware of any such message,” Rubio responded. Perry again referred to the reports, to which Rubio said that no such message had been delivered. “I would be surprised if that message had been relayed. I would be aware of it if it was,” he said. The US-Iran conflict is currently stalemated in a shaky ceasefire struck in April, which was followed by historic direct talks between the warring parties hosted by Pakistan. Though daily strikes throughout Iran and the Gulf have stopped since then, bursts of armed conflict have continued. The US and Iran exchanged attacks on each other’s military targets on Monday. After the US military carried out strikes near the Strait of Hormuz, Iran responded with a missile attack on Wednesday, damaging Kuwait’s airport and resulting in casualties. Since the conflict began, Iran has repeatedly attacked targets in the Gulf region home to US military bases. Meanwhile, Israel’s expanding front in Lebanon has proved to be the main spoiler in the peace process, with rising tensions even prompting US President Donald Trump to tell Israel’s PM Benjamin Netanyahu to halt the attacks. Nevertheless, diplomacy has continued with Trump under pressure to reach an agreement that would lift the US and Iranian competing blockades around the Strait of Hormuz, which have choked international oil supplies and threatened the global economy with rising prices. ‘Actively engaged’ to secure release of seamen held by Somali pirates On the continued captivity of 10 Pakistanis aboard an oil tanker seized by Somali pirates, the FO said Islamabad remained “actively engaged” in efforts to secure their release. The MT Honour 25, a Palau-flagged product tanker, was seized on April 21, approximately 30 nautical miles off Somalia’s Puntland region with 17 crew members aboard, 10 of them Pakistani. “Unfortunately, the situation remains grave,” Andrabi acknowledged when asked about the latest update on the situation, days after a video emerged showing the captives with discoloured water available for drinking. “Pakistan remains in contact with the ship owner, who is the principal negotiator with the pirates. These negotiations have been taking place with the knowledge of the Somali government,” the FO spokesperson stated. He explained that the “geographical circumstances, coupled with the fact that the ship is carrying highly explosive cargo, make any law-enforcement operation to secure the release of the captive extremely difficult”, as Pakistan did not want to endanger the safety of the captives. Families of the Pakistani hostage crew members of an oil tanker that was hijacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia, hold placards during a protest, calling on the government to take immediate action for the safe return of their loved ones, in Karachi on May 13, 2026. — Reuters/File The FO urged both the Somali government and the ship owner to ensure that the hostages were provided with food, drinking water, and other basic necessities. Relevant stakeholders, including the interior and maritime affairs ministries, were involved in the matter. “This is a very difficult situation. Our hearts go out to the families of those being held captive,” the spokesperson said, requesting patience from the families. “A team from our Embassy in Djibouti also visited Mogadishu to obtain first-hand information. Therefore, all channels of communication with both the ship owner and the Somali government remain open and active,” he revealed. Andrabi assured the media of the government’s “full attention and concern regarding this emergency situation”. ‘No responsible state can remain passive’: FO on Afghanistan Pakistan’s tensions with Afghanistan also came up during the press briefing. Andrabi was asked about the European Union’s (EU) top diplomat Kaja Kallas noting the “grave humanitarian consequences” of the recent fighting between the two neighbours and urging them to exercise restraint. The FO spokesperson replied: “No responsible state can remain passive when its civilians and security forces are repeatedly targeted. Therefore, we reserve the right to take all necessary measures to safeguard the lives and property of our nationals, based on the principles of necessity and as a measure of last resort.” He stressed that Pakistan adhered to the principles of distinction and proportionality and that any “defensive action” was directed against “legitimate targets under international law, including sanctuaries and bases used for planning terrorism and launching terrorist attacks against Pakistan”. The FO spokesperson further stated, “We will continue to take such actions when necessary, and this remains part of our dialogue with our international interlocutors.” Responding to another question before this, Andrabi had asserted that the EU understood Islamabad’s position, including “our right to defend ourselves and take action against terrorist incidents, particularly those emanating from Afghanistan”. Andrabi then referred to the joint statement issued on Kallas’s visit, which said both sides “reaffirmed the importance of combatting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations”. Both sides had also “expressed serious concerns over the presence of terrorist entities in Afghanistan and reiterated that Afghan territory must not be used to threaten or attack other countries”. Replying to another question, the FO official affirmed that there was “no bar on Pakistan pursuing dialogue and diplomacy with Afghanistan”. “Indeed, this is what we were doing until very recently, when terrorist attacks emanating from Afghanistan, with possible collusion from elements within the authorities there, surpassed a certain threshold of Pakistan’s patience. As a result, there were instances of border closures, and we also took certain actions in our border regions,” he recalled. Expressing Pakistan’s desire to pursue the path of diplomacy but also voicing its strong objection to the killing of Pakistani civilians and members of law enforcement agencies, Andrabi said: “We have adopted a position whereby we seek an unequivocal commitment from the Afghan side that its territory will not be used for terrorism against Pakistan.” The FO spokesperson said China’s Special Representative on Afghanistan Ambassador Yue Xiaoyong “held productive discussions on regional security” during his visit to Islamabad . “Pakistan and China agreed to strengthen coordination and synchronise their counterterrorism efforts in order to protect regional peace and security,” he said, adding that Islamabad appreciated Beijing’s constructive role on security issues in general. On the recent military cooperation agreement signed between Russia and Afghanistan, Andrabi responded, “The details are still being ascertained. At this stage, it would be premature to offer any comment on the matter.” India’s plans to divert Chenab water Meanwhile, the FO also denounced India’s plans to build a river-linking project to divert water from Chenab to the Beas river as a “grave violation” of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) and other international laws. Chenab forms at the confluence of the Chandra and Bhaga rivers in Lahaul and Spiti, Himachal Pradesh. The IWT, brokered by the World Bank in 1960, allocates the three western rivers — Indus, Jhelum and Chenab — to Pakistan, and the three eastern rivers — Ravi, Beas and Sutlej — to India. According to Indian news outlet CNBC TV18 , India will begin work on the proposed “Link-3 Project”, located on Chenab in Himachal Pradesh, on August 1. The project aims to divert surplus water from the Chenab river to the Beas basin and is estimated to cost 26.2 billion Indian rupees, as per ANI . Responding to a query, Andrabi said, “Yes, we have seen this report as well as the public tendered document issued by the government of India that India has invited bids for the Chenab-Beas Link Tunnel project with the intention of transferring 1.9m acre feet of water annually from Chenab into the Beas system. “Such an inter-basin diversion of water of the Chenab into the Beas system constitutes a grave violation of not just the IWT but also of the laws of treaty, particularly the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties , as well as the broader framework of international water law, including the principles reflected in the 1977 UN convention on watercourses,” he added. The FO spokesperson also highlighted India’s planned “silt flushing” of the Salal Dam in occupied Kashmir’s Reasi district. “This is a deeply concerning development. It would provide water control capability that is not permissible under either the Indus Waters Treaty or the 1978 Salal agreement,” he pointed out. Andrabi noted that India had neither officially communicated nor shared any notice of these projects nor has it sought consultations in this regard. “These projects confirm that India seeks to weaponise water. This carries dangerous implications not only for Pakistan’s economy but also for regional stability and international peace and security,” he stressed. Emphasising that Pakistan had “exercised restraint and responsibility” and remained committed to dialogue, Andrabi warned, “However, any illegal action, any illegal measure to endanger Pakistan’s water, food and economic security, as well as the survival and well-being of its 250 million people, is unacceptable.” He stated that such actions amount to “further destabilisation of South Asia, with potential grave consequences” for the entire region. “Under IWT, Pakistan is entitled to receive the unrestricted use of the water of the western rivers, and this is in lieu of the rights of the eastern rivers that were given to India,” Andrabi noted. The FO spokesperson asserted that Pakistan “retains all options necessary for safeguarding rights and entitlements under the treaty and to protect its vital national interests”. “Let me emphasise, we retain all options in this regard,” he reiterated. The FO urged the international community to call upon India to “desist from any form of water coercion, abandon projects that seek to stop, reduce or divert water flow legally belonging to Pakistan, and restore full and faithful implementation of the IWT”.