Trump Engages Pakistan in Iran Conflict Talks as Islamabad Seeks Mediator Role
US President Donald Trump held a conversation with Pakistan's Army Chief General Asim Munir earlier this week, signaling a diplomatic outreach as Islamabad positions itself as a potential mediator in the escalating US-Israel-Iran conflict. This development comes amid heightened regional tensions and stalled diplomatic efforts.
Pakistan's Diplomatic Push and Regional Involvement
Simultaneously, Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif conducted a separate call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday, according to officials familiar with the discussions. Pakistan has formally offered its capital, Islamabad, as a venue for high-level talks between senior US figures—including Vice President JD Vance and Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner—and Iranian officials.
In a readout of the call, Pakistan stated, "While sharing with the Iranian President the diplomatic outreach efforts of Pakistan’s leadership, the prime minister assured the Iranian leadership that Pakistan would continue to play a constructive role in facilitating peace." This move underscores Islamabad's active role in back-channel communications aimed at de-escalation.
Trump's Temporary Pause and White House Caution
The talks coincided with Trump's announcement of a five-day suspension of his threat to strike Iran's power plants, following what he described as "very good and productive" conversations with Tehran aimed at ending the war. However, the White House quickly tempered expectations, emphasizing that no formal negotiations are currently underway and the situation remains "sensitive" and "fluid." A statement clarified, "These are sensitive diplomatic discussions and the United States will not negotiate through the news media."
While Trump's posts on Truth Social temporarily pushed oil prices down, analysts note that it is unclear if Pakistan's mediation efforts directly influenced market movements. The conflict and stalled diplomatic channels continue to keep the region on edge, with oil prices experiencing volatility.
Regional Powers and Skepticism from Experts
Other regional players are also engaging behind the scenes to reduce tensions. Turkey, previously involved in mediation before the war, has held talks with Iranian officials and Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff to secure a temporary ceasefire. Additionally, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke with Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan on Monday, while Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held separate conversations with his Iranian and Pakistani counterparts over the weekend.
Despite these efforts, Iran has denied direct negotiations with the US. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei told the official news agency IRNA, "Over the past few days, messages were received via certain friendly states conveying the US request for negotiations to end the war. Appropriate responses were given [to those initiatives] in accordance with the country’s fundamental positions." He added that Iran's stance on the Strait of Hormuz and its conditions for ending the conflict remain unchanged.
Experts remain skeptical about the potential for a breakthrough. Sanam Vakil from Chatham House commented, "It’s positive to play out what a compromise and agreement might look like, but I don’t see a willingness on either side to compromise. I don’t think Trump can walk away from this crisis of his making. And I just don’t see Iran caving. They feel they have the upper hand and the leverage, this is again about their survival and the conditions that will assure their survival." Past mediation efforts, often facilitated by Oman and Qatar, stalled after the US and Israel launched the war just two days following talks in Geneva.
Pakistan's Geopolitical Dilemma and Strategic Position
Pakistan's position as a mediator is strengthened by its unique geopolitical standing. It hosts no US military bases and has largely been spared Iranian missile and drone strikes, making it a neutral intermediary for both sides. Islamabad also boasts the world's second-largest Shia population after Iran and maintains close ties with Gulf states, including a defence pact with Saudi Arabia.
However, this defence pact with Riyadh presents a contention, as it supposedly considers an attack on one as an attack on all, similar to NATO's Article 5, though specifics remain vague. Since the war began, Islamabad has pursued cautious diplomacy, condemning strikes on Iran while urging de-escalation. Analysts warn that Pakistan cannot remain insulated from competing pressures, especially given its high dependence on oil and gas imports from the Gulf, which makes regional stability crucial.
In a notable gesture, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei acknowledged Pakistan in a message for the Iranian New Year, expressing a special feeling toward the people of Pakistan. As Trump pauses immediate military threats and Iran maintains a firm stance, Pakistan's mediation efforts highlight the limited channels available for conflict de-escalation in this volatile scenario.
