Prime Minister Shehbaz, Field Marshal Munir and US President Donald Trump at the White House Photo: PMO X account
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan has emerged as a key player seeking to end the escalating conflict between the United States and Iran, and Islamabad has quietly positioned itself as a potential location for negotiations between Tehran and Washington, according to US media reports and officials familiar with the developments.
The diplomatic opening came shortly after US President Donald Trump announced a temporary cessation of hostilities, citing what he described as “constructive engagement” with Iran. Immediately afterwards, reports suggested that Pakistan, Türkiye and Egypt had intensified their efforts to facilitate indirect messages between the two adversaries.
According to Axios, Islamabad is being considered for possible talks involving a US delegation that could include special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, along with senior Iranian leaders, potentially including the parliamentary speaker.
Tehran, however, publicly rejected any suggestion of direct or indirect negotiations with Washington.
However, diplomatic activity over the past 24 hours indicates a flurry of behind-the-scenes engagement that suggests otherwise.
Pakistan’s civil and military leaders continued to actively engage with key stakeholders.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, reaffirming solidarity with Iran and urging moderation and dialogue.
According to an official statement, the prime minister extended Eidul Fitr and Nowruz greetings to the Iranian leadership and people, while expressing his condolences for the loss of lives in the ongoing conflict. He warned of the “dangerous” trajectory of hostilities in the Gulf and stressed the urgent need for collective efforts to reduce tensions through diplomacy.
Importantly, he highlighted the need for unity within the Muslim world, highlighting that cohesion in the Ummah was “more critical than ever” amid the unfolding crisis.
Sharing details about Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach, Shehbaz assured Tehran that Islamabad would continue to play a constructive role in facilitating peace and stability in the region.
Meanwhile, the country’s military leaders also held talks with Washington. A Financial Times report said that Field Marshal and Chief of Army Staff Syed Asim Munir had a telephone conversation with President Trump to discuss the evolving situation.
Diplomatic sources said the contacts reflected Pakistan’s attempt to leverage its unique ties with both Tehran and Washington to create space for dialogue.
At the same time, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar led intense diplomatic activity, speaking separately with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi and Türkiye Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
In both talks, Dar emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to ensure peace, security and stability in the region and beyond, and all parties agreed to remain in close contact.
These parallel engagements, also involving Türkiye and Egypt, point to a coordinated but still nascent mediation effort, focused largely on secondary messages rather than a formal negotiation process.
While there has been no official confirmation from Islamabad about holding talks, sources did not rule out the possibility, suggesting that Pakistan is willing to provide a neutral venue if necessary.
Analysts warn, however, that despite the diplomatic turmoil, the prospects for a breakthrough remain uncertain given the deep mistrust between Washington and Tehran and the rapidly evolving dynamics of the battlefield.
Still, Pakistan’s proactive diplomacy underscores its attempt to position itself as a bridge, maintaining solidarity with Iran as a neighbor while preserving its strategic ties with the United States and key Gulf partners.
Since the war began, Pakistan has been walking a tight diplomatic rope as it has to navigate the situation.
Pakistan wants to avoid being directly involved in the conflict despite having a mutual defense pact with Saudi Arabia.
That is the reason why it promotes dialogue and diplomacy.
Sources said that if Pakistan’s efforts were successful, it would be a major diplomatic coup.
