Islamabad is currently intensifying its diplomatic efforts to emerge as a central mediator in the escalating US-Israeli conflict with Iran. Leveraging its strategic relationships with both Washington and Tehran, Pakistan aims to bridge a seemingly insurmountable gap between the two adversaries.
In a bid to pave the way for potential negotiations, Pakistani officials held high-level consultations on Sunday with representatives from Turkey, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. Despite the lack of immediate signs of de-escalation, Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar expressed optimism, stating that Pakistan would be "honored to host and facilitate meaningful discussions between both sides in the coming days."
The nature of any upcoming talks—whether direct or indirect—remains ambiguous, with Washington and Tehran offering contradictory accounts. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly suggested that negotiations are progressing. However, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei firmly rejected these claims during a Monday press conference, asserting, "We have not conducted any direct negotiations so far."
The diplomatic rift is further widened by Tehran's recent rejection of a 15-point US peace proposal delivered via Pakistani mediators. Iranian officials dismissed the plan, which demanded the cessation of nuclear enrichment, the dismantling of atomic facilities, and the unblocking of the Strait of Hormuz, as "exaggerated, unreasonable, and unrealistic."
In response, President Trump took to the Truth Social platform to issue a stark warning, threatening to "destroy" Iran's energy infrastructure if Tehran fails to agree to a deal and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
For Pakistan, positioning itself as a credible intermediary is driven by profound self-interest. "The US-Iran conflict directly threatens Pakistan's economic stability, as it is dependent on energy flows and remittances from the Gulf," explained Pakistani analyst Raza Rumi. A failure to contain the crisis could expose Pakistan to severe economic and security shocks, including disrupted energy supplies that would drive inflation and exacerbate fiscal pressures.
During Trump's second term, US-Pakistan relations have seen a notable thaw. Following a 2025 meeting in Washington, Trump warmly referred to Pakistan's Army Chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, as "my favorite field marshal," while also hosting Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. Yet, Islamabad must carefully balance these improved ties with Washington and its defense pact with Saudi Arabia against its deep cultural connections and 900-kilometer shared border with Iran.
The stakes for Pakistan extend beyond economics. The nation is already grappling with border tensions involving the Taliban in neighboring Afghanistan and combating militant separatists in the Balochistan province, which borders Iran.
"There is an urgency. Instability in Iran directly impacts Pakistan—from the security of Balochistan to energy access and domestic stability," noted Fatemeh Aman, an Iran-Pakistan expert formerly with the Middle East Institute and Atlantic Council. Aman emphasized that Pakistan is highly motivated to manage the conflict to prevent severe domestic repercussions.
As the threat of a wider war looms over the Arabian Peninsula, Pakistan's decades-long partnership with Saudi Arabia and its delicate position in the Middle East necessitate a careful diplomatic dance to avoid being drawn into the direct line of fire.
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