Penny Wong expressed disappointment after US and Iranian officials failed to make a deal during peace talks in Islamabad, which were viewed as the most significant engagement between Washington and Tehran since the 1979 Iranian Revolution.

A two-week ceasefire was brokered by Pakistan prior to the talks, creating a hopeful backdrop for negotiations. However, the Islamabad talks ended without an agreement, prompting Wong to urge both parties to continue the ceasefire and return to negotiations.

Wong emphasized the urgency of resolving the conflict, stating, “It is disappointing that the Islamabad talks … have ended without agreement.” She highlighted the importance of maintaining the ceasefire, saying, “The priority now must be to continue the ceasefire and return to negotiations.”

Furthermore, Wong warned that any escalation in the conflict would impose an even greater human cost and further impact the global economy. Her comments reflect growing concerns about the broader implications of the ongoing tensions.

The US-Israeli war on Iran, which began on February 28, has heightened the stakes in these discussions, making the need for a swift resolution more critical than ever. Observers are now looking to see if both sides will heed Wong’s call for continued dialogue.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding the next steps in the negotiations, but the international community is closely monitoring the situation as it develops.