How Pakistan helped secure a fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran
How Pakistan helped secure a fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran
As the two-week ceasefire approached, Pakistan emerged as a key player in easing tensions between Iran and the United States. A confidential report from a local source revealed that negotiations were moving forward, with Islamabad serving as a bridge between the two nations. The Pakistan representative mentioned that discussions were “ongoing at a steady pace,” indicating the country’s active role in the process.
“The talks are continuing, and Pakistan is functioning as a mediator,” the source said. “There’s a small team involved, and the atmosphere is somber yet hopeful. The agreement is close, with only a few hours left.”
Pakistan’s historical ties with Iran, including a shared border and longstanding diplomatic connections, have positioned it as a natural intermediary. Meanwhile, its relationship with the U.S. has been bolstered by President Trump’s public praise for Field Marshall Asim Munir, the head of Pakistan’s military. Trump remarked that he “knows Iran better than most,” hinting at his confidence in the nation’s potential to broker peace.
Despite these efforts, the path to agreement remained uncertain. In a parliamentary address on Tuesday, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar expressed cautious optimism, stating: “We were hopeful things were moving positively until yesterday,” just before Israel struck Iran and Iran retaliated against Saudi Arabia. Dar emphasized Pakistan’s ongoing role in managing the crisis, describing it as “a delicate balancing act.”
“The attack on Saudi Arabia undermines sincere attempts to resolve the conflict peacefully,” Field Marshall Munir told military officials. This marked one of the strongest expressions of discontent from Pakistan toward Iran since the conflict began.
Pakistan also maintains a defense agreement with Saudi Arabia, which has not been activated despite recent strikes on the kingdom. In the early hours of Wednesday, the Prime Minister tweeted that “diplomatic efforts… are progressing steadily, strongly and powerfully,” urging Trump to prolong the ceasefire and open the Strait of Hormuz for the duration. Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, echoed the progress, calling it “a step forward from a critical, sensitive stage.”
Shortly before 05:00, the Prime Minister declared a ceasefire had been reached, inviting both parties to gather in Islamabad on Friday, April 10, for further talks. However, the situation remains fragile, with no trust between the adversaries and entrenched stances. While Pakistan may bring the two sides together, the question remains: what common ground can they find?
