Pakistan prepares to host peace talks as Iran accuses US of ground assault plans

Pakistan said on Sunday it was preparing to host "meaningful talks" to end the conflict over Iran in coming days even though Tehran said it is ready to respond if the United States moves in with soldiers on the ground.



Speaking after talks between regional foreign ministers, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said they had covered possible ways to bring an early and permanent end to the war in the region as well as potential U.S.-Iran talks in Islamabad.



"Pakistan will be honoured to host and facilitate meaningful talks between the two sides in coming days, for a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the ongoing conflict," he said. It was not immediately clear whether the U.S. and Iran had agreed to attend.



Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf earlier accused the U.S. of sending messages about possible negotiations while at the same time planning to send in troops, adding that Tehran was ready to respond if U.S. soldiers were deployed.



"As long as the Americans seek Iran's surrender, our response is that we will never accept humiliation," he said in a message to the nation.