ISLAMABAD:
Secondary efforts to organize talks between the United States and Iran are still underway, despite earlier attempts to convene a high-level meeting in Islamabad that failed to materialize, sources familiar with the matter said.
According to sources, Pakistan had quietly facilitated preparations for a possible round of direct engagement involving a US delegation led by Vice President JD Vance and senior Iranian representatives.
The proposed meeting, to be held in Islamabad, was seen as a potential opportunity to de-escalate tensions amid rising regional tensions.
However, despite advance preparations on more than one occasion in recent days, planned engagements were postponed at the last minute and both sides needed additional time for internal consultations, sources said.
“Efforts are underway and there is still a willingness to explore diplomatic options,” one source said, adding that the situation remains fluid given the broader regional dynamics.
Pakistan has been actively positioning itself as a neutral facilitator, offering its good offices to help bridge the communication gap between Washington and Tehran.
The initiative reflects Islamabad’s broader goal of easing tensions in the region, particularly after recent military escalations involving the United States and Israel.
The officials emphasized that both Washington and Tehran face complex considerations, which have contributed to delays in formalizing direct talks.
“These are delicate engagements, and the timing, sequencing and internal deliberations of all parties are critical,” one source said, underscoring that such secondary diplomacy often involves multiple false starts before progress is made.
Before the latest escalation, Pakistan had also explored the possibility of direct engagement with Iran at the highest political level.
Sources said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, accompanied by senior military leaders, had been prepared to travel to Tehran for consultations with the Iranian leadership.
However, that visit did not take place due to evolving security conditions and scheduling constraints at the time, highlighting the broader challenges facing diplomatic outreach in a volatile environment.
Behind-the-scenes efforts also intersected with broader regional diplomacy. During a meeting of foreign ministers from several Muslim countries in Riyadh on March 19, the situation involving Iran featured prominently in discussions.
Sources said there had been extensive deliberations over the language of a joint statement, with some participants calling for a more balanced formulation that would address the broader context of the crisis. They added that the final statement reflected some degree of consensus after consultations among key stakeholders.
Pakistan’s diplomatic approach has throughout been focused on de-escalating tensions and maintaining a careful balance, avoiding positions that could further inflame tensions while encouraging dialogue between stakeholders.
Despite setbacks in organizing an initial meeting, sources stressed that diplomatic channels remain open and efforts to facilitate dialogue have not been abandoned.
“These types of initiatives take time, especially in the current circumstances,” said an official. “The important thing is that commitment continues to be sought.”
The near failure to hold talks underscores both the potential and inherent difficulties of quiet diplomacy, as regional and international actors navigate a complex and rapidly evolving security landscape.
