In a surprising development, Pakistan has emerged as an influential diplomatic player in the midst of the raging conflict between the United States and Israel on the one hand, and Iran on the other. American reports indicate that Pakistan has succeeded in convincing US President Donald Trump to play a mediation role between the conflicting parties.
According to US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Pakistani officials helped convey the US 15-point peace plan to Tehran. This step reflects the growing Pakistani role in this sensitive regional issue.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Pakistan, which Trump described in his first term as a “bad faith party,” has today turned into a potential peace mediator. This shift indicates the success of Pakistani officials in exploiting regional developments to return to Trump’s inner circle.
The newspaper also pointed out that during Trump’s second term, Islamabad signed a number of economic agreements in the fields of cryptocurrencies and vital minerals, which revitalized strategic communication channels between the two countries.
For her part, a White House spokeswoman confirmed that Pakistan “plays the role of mediator in the talks with Iran,” describing it as “an important partner in combating ISIS,” noting that the US administration cooperated with Islamabad on energy issues, vital minerals, and combating terrorism.
Observers point out, according to the report, the pivotal role of Pakistani Army Chief of Staff Asim Munir, who earlier this year supervised the signing of an agreement related to cryptocurrencies between the United States and the Pakistani government, and whom Trump had described as his “favorite field commander in Pakistan.”
This military-political rapprochement, experts believe, contributed to strengthening Washington’s confidence in the Pakistani role, and gave Islamabad an opportunity to reposition itself as an effective regional player.
On the other hand, despite Iran’s rejection of the US peace plan and its presentation of a 5-point alternative plan, Pakistan announced that it will host an initial summit of the mediating countries with the participation of Egypt, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, today, Sunday, in Islamabad, with the aim of discussing ways to calm the conflict.
Although the success of these efforts remains uncertain, the report notes that Pakistan has already achieved an important diplomatic gain, regardless of the outcome of the negotiations.
In this regard, the former Pakistani ambassador to the United States, Hussain Haqqani, said: “It is a win-win from Pakistan’s point of view,” adding: “Whether an agreement is reached or not, Pakistan has succeeded in dispelling the impression of isolation that was prevalent, and today it is in a central position within the current political scene.”
These moves come in light of an unprecedented military escalation in the region, with increasing international pressure to reopen negotiating channels and avoid the confrontation sliding into a broader regional war. In this context, regional powers are trying to exploit their balanced relations with Washington and Tehran to present themselves as mediators, in a diplomatic race open to different possibilities.
While the final decision remains in the hands of the White House and Tehran, Pakistan seems determined to consolidate its position as a player that cannot be bypassed in any possible negotiating path.
