Pakistan’s mediation faces limits as Iran-US tensions deepen | US-Israel war on Iran News
Pakistan Seeks to Maintain U.S.-Iran Diplomatic Channels Amid Rising Tensions
Islamabad, Pakistan — Pakistan is actively working to sustain diplomatic communication between the United States and Iran as both countries engage in heightened rhetoric. Following a pause in U.S. military strikes since an April 8 ceasefire amidst the ongoing U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, indications from Washington suggest a willingness to resume military actions.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi arrived in Tehran on Saturday for a two-day visit. He held discussions with President Masoud Pezeshkian, Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni, and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who has played a central role in negotiations with the U.S. aimed at ending the conflict that erupted on February 28. Pakistan is particularly focused on preventing the collapse of ongoing ceasefire talks.
On Sunday, as negotiations continued, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stark warning via Truth Social, stating, “For Iran, the clock is ticking, and they better get moving, FAST, or there won’t be anything left of them. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!”
Over the weekend, Trump convened his national security team, which includes key figures such as Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Contrastingly, Iran’s official stance presents a different narrative. At a press conference, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei remarked that, despite Trump’s public condemnation of Iranian actions, Washington had forwarded revised terms through Pakistani intermediaries. He indicated that Iran had reviewed these proposals and communicated its responses via the same channel, including a 14-point proposal aimed at resolving the conflict.
Tensions escalated further over the weekend, with drones reportedly striking an electrical generator near the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia intercepting drones launched from Iraq. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry condemned the attack on the Barakah facility, describing it as “a grave violation of international law” and urged for restraint from all parties.
The recent developments highlight a rapid deterioration in diplomatic efforts since the ceasefire took effect over a month ago. Both nations have exchanged proposals but have rejected each other’s core demands, raising the specter of renewed military escalation.
Following the April ceasefire and the breakdown of talks in Islamabad in mid-April, U.S. and Iranian officials continued to send proposals through Pakistani mediators. Iran’s 14-point counterproposal included a call for a permanent cessation of hostilities, U.S. withdrawal from areas near its borders, lifting of a naval blockade, and the release of frozen assets.
In response, Washington proposed a 20-year moratorium on uranium enrichment and the transfer of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile abroad. Iranian officials maintained that their plan focused primarily on peacemaking rather than nuclear concerns.
Naqvi’s visit marks the third high-level Pakistani delegation to Tehran in recent weeks, following visits by Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir. However, analysts suggest that Pakistan’s diplomatic role may face challenges if its influence is perceived to wane.
While some experts believe that Pakistan remains a vital diplomatic conduit, others warn that the country risks becoming an afterthought if Iran and the U.S. seek alternatives for negotiation.
In recent military assessments, sources reported that Iran has restored operational capabilities for a significant portion of its missile sites along the Strait of Hormuz, heightening the potential for conflict. Pentagon officials reportedly compiled target lists that include Iranian infrastructure and energy facilities.
Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi of Iran’s Armed Forces issued warnings about possible military repercussions if the U.S. were to act against Iranian interests.
The ongoing situation reflects a complex and precarious web of geopolitical dynamics, emphasizing the urgent need for effective diplomacy to prevent further escalation in the region. As Pakistan attempts to mediate, both the U.S. and Iran must navigate their significant differences and work towards a sustainable resolution.
