How Pakistan helped secure a fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran
How Pakistan helped secure a fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran
Just before the announcement of a two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States, Pakistan played a key role in the diplomatic process. A confidential report from a local source revealed that negotiations were proceeding “at pace” with Pakistan serving as a bridge between the two nations. The talks involved a small group of officials, and the atmosphere was described as “sombre and serious” yet optimistic about achieving a pause in hostilities. The source, not part of the core team, noted that “a few hours remain” before the agreement was finalized.
Pakistan’s historic ties with Iran
Pakistan has maintained a long-standing relationship with Iran, sharing a border and often referring to their bond as “brotherly.” This connection has allowed the country to act as a mediator in recent weeks. Meanwhile, the U.S. relationship with Pakistan has seen mixed signals, with President Trump praising Field Marshall Asim Munir as his “favourite” military leader and claiming familiarity with Iran’s leadership.
“Until yesterday we were very optimistic that things are moving in a positive direction,” said Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in parliament. However, the situation shifted after Israel struck Iran and Iran retaliated against Saudi Arabia, raising concerns about the stability of the talks.
Field Marshall Munir was more direct in his critique. During a meeting with military officials, he stated that the attack on Saudi Arabia “spoils sincere efforts to resolve the conflict through peaceful means,” marking a significant shift in Pakistan’s stance toward Iran. Analysts speculated that such statements might intensify pressure on Tehran.
Pakistan has a defense agreement with Saudi Arabia, which has not yet been activated despite ongoing tensions. Late on Tuesday, the country’s Prime Minister shared on X that diplomatic efforts were “progressing steadily, strongly and powerfully,” with the potential to yield “substantive results” soon. The leader urged Trump to extend the ceasefire deadline and for Iran to keep the Strait of Hormuz open during the same period.
“There had been a step forward from critical, sensitive stage,” noted Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, on X. Shortly after, the Prime Minister declared a ceasefire agreement had been reached and invited both sides to convene in Islamabad on Friday, 10 April for further discussions.
The Pakistan source emphasized the ongoing “continued fragility” of the situation, highlighting that mutual trust remains low. While the country may facilitate a meeting, the challenge lies in identifying common ground between the two adversaries. The ceasefire, though a breakthrough, remains tentative and subject to future developments.