Trump said Monday that Iran was seeking talks with the United States and that they were scheduled, without specifying the time or location. PHOTO:FILE
KARACHI:
Iranian-American academic and political scientist Vali Nasr says the ongoing war between Iran and the United States is not about military superiority but about resistance, emphasizing that Pakistan has played a pivotal role in facilitating talks and de-escalating the situation.
Speaking on Express24/7’s “Full Frame” program with lead presenter Fahd Husain, Nasr laid out the anatomy of a crisis driven by both momentum and power. “It’s not about who has bigger bombs,” he said. “It’s about who has more endurance and tolerance for pain.”
At a time when the Middle East is on the verge of escalation, even as diplomacy slowly moves toward a possible breakthrough, Pakistan has emerged in the center of global attention.
Nasr highlighted that Pakistan has played a key role in maintaining dialogue, building trust with Tehran and coordinating with regional powers. He said the country’s involvement has transformed the crisis into a defining moment for Islamabad’s diplomatic standing.
“Pakistanis played a very important role in keeping this going,” he said. “There is no other game in town than Islamabad,” he added, explaining that Pakistan’s strength lies in its neutrality.
Nasr described the Islamabad talks as an unprecedented moment in Pakistan’s recent history. “Two or three years ago, we would never have predicted that Pakistan would have this kind of influence,” he said.
Reflecting on the latest round of negotiations, Nasr stressed that the 21-hour discussions marked the most substantial direct engagement between the United States and Iran. “The importance of this cannot be underestimated,” he added.
Despite progress on the diplomatic front, the situation on the ground remains precarious. The ceasefire window is narrow and military pressure continues to increase, while Donald Trump has ordered a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Nasr, however, offered a more strategic reading of the scenario, suggesting that blocking the key waterway responsible for 20% of the world’s oil flow may not simply be escalation but a form of leverage.
Nasr is a professor of international affairs and Middle East studies at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Washington. The full interview will be broadcast again on Wednesday at 9am, 12pm, 3pm and 6pm on Express24/7.
