Islamabad is seen as a likely location for dialogue; Trump’s new post is seen as a diplomatic gesture; Move chooses Pakistan as ME mediator
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and US President Donald Trump at the “Peace Board” meeting in Davos on January 22, 2026. PHOTO:REUTERS
ISLAMABAD:
In a potentially game-changing diplomatic signal, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday publicly offered Pakistan as a venue for US-Iran peace talks, an offer that received an extraordinary boost when President Donald Trump reposted it on his Truth Social platform, a move widely seen in Islamabad as Washington’s tacit endorsement of Pakistan’s emerging role as a mediator.
“Pakistan welcomes and fully supports the ongoing efforts to seek dialogue to end the war in the Middle East… Pakistan is ready and honored to be the host to facilitate meaningful and conclusive talks,” the prime minister wrote in X, signaling Islamabad’s willingness to move from quiet facilitation to a more visible diplomatic role, subject to agreement from both Washington and Tehran.
Trump’s unprecedented new release has injected fresh impetus into Pakistan’s mediation attempt, suggesting that the idea of Islamabad as a neutral venue for high-stakes negotiations is gaining ground at the highest levels of Washington.
The prime minister’s formal offer, after widespread media speculation, is believed to be a move carefully choreographed by all interested parties.
Iran has publicly denied reports it is holding talks with the United States, but sources said they could be for domestic consumption only.
Sources in Islamabad said ongoing efforts to reduce tensions were the most serious since the conflict began on February 28.
The choice of Pakistan as the main mediator is due to its unique role. Islamabad has cultivated close ties with the Trump administration while maintaining a deep connection with Iran. Similarly, Gulf countries also trust Pakistan, putting it in a position where it can help negotiate a deal.
Pakistan has also publicly acknowledged, for the first time, its role in tension-reduction efforts, even as it urged restraint in public discourse around sensitive diplomatic initiatives.
In an exclusive conversation with The Express PAkGazette here on Tuesday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi confirmed that Islamabad was actively seeking diplomatic avenues to help end the conflict, while warning that such efforts require discretion.
“Pakistan, consistent with its long-standing policy, remains committed to resolving the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf through diplomatic means and engagement,” Andrabi said.
However, he stressed the need for confidentiality. “Diplomacy and negotiations often require that certain matters be moved forward discreetly,” he said, urging the media to avoid speculation and wait for official announcements.
Some reports claimed that the American delegation has already arrived in Islamabad for talks, but there was no official confirmation.
Pakistan’s calibrated public message comes as it quietly positions itself at the center of an intensification of diplomatic activity aimed at stopping the escalation of the confrontation between the United States and Iran. Reports from American media and officials familiar with the developments suggest that Islamabad is being considered as a location for talks between Tehran and Washington.
The diplomatic opening followed President Trump’s announcement of a temporary cessation of hostilities, citing “constructive engagement” with Iran. Later, countries like Turkiye and Egypt joined hands with Pakistan to facilitate indirect communication between the two adversaries.
According to Axios, the potential talks could involve a US delegation, including special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, along with senior Iranian leaders. Tehran has publicly denied any plans for negotiations, but diplomatic sources say the intensification of backchannel activity suggests otherwise.
Over the past 24 hours, Pakistan’s civil and military leaders have remained deeply engaged. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, reaffirming solidarity with Iran and urging moderation and dialogue.
An official statement said the prime minister conveyed greetings to Eidul Fitr and Nowruz, expressed condolences for the loss of life and warned of the “dangerous” trajectory of the conflict. He underlined the urgent need for collective diplomatic efforts and emphasized that unity within the Muslim Ummah was “more critical than ever.”
At the same time, Pakistan’s military leaders also held talks with Washington. A Financial Times report said that Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir held a conversation with President Trump to discuss the evolving situation.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a parallel communication, speaking with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi and Turkiye Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, and all parties agreed to maintain close coordination.
These parallel engagements, also involving Turkiye and Egypt, point to a coordinated, though still nascent, mediation effort focused largely on secondary diplomacy rather than formal negotiations.
While Islamabad has not officially confirmed holding talks, diplomatic sources say the option remains on the table, particularly in light of Trump’s public signal of support.
Analysts warn that despite the flurry of activity, a breakthrough remains uncertain given the deep mistrust between Washington and Tehran and the rapidly evolving situation on the battlefield.
Still, Pakistan’s proactive diplomacy highlights its attempt to act as a bridge, balancing solidarity with Iran as a neighbor while maintaining strategic ties with the United States and key Gulf partners.
Officials say that if these efforts translate into formal talks, they could mark a significant diplomatic breakthrough for Islamabad, potentially reshaping its role on the global stage.
