“Pakistan has confirmed it is acting as an intermediary relaying messages between Iran and the United States in an effort to open indirect talks to end the conflict in the Gulf.”

“Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Islamabad is facilitating communication while maintaining neutrality, as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urges dialogue and diplomacy to stabilise the region.”

“Pakistan’s balanced ties with Iran, the US and regional powers such as Mohammed bin Salman’s Saudi Arabia position it as a potential diplomatic bridge in efforts to de-escalate the war.”

“Pakistan has emerged as a key intermediary between Iran and the United States to try to secure talks to end their war in the Gulf.”

“On Thursday, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed Islamabad was involved, saying 'US-Iran indirect talks are taking place through messages being relayed by Pakistan'.”

“Pakistan has strong credentials as the only country in the region enjoying good relations with the US and Iran.”

“Concurrently, it enjoys strategic relations with Saudi Arabia, the Gulf states and Turkiye.”

“Pakistan has avoided taking sides and tried instead to maintain stable relations with all parties.”

“Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned both the US-Israeli strikes that killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and Tehran’s retaliation against its neighbours.”

“Pakistan ‘has consistently advocated for dialogue and diplomacy to promote peace and stability in the region’, foreign ministry spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said.”

“Sharif and his government have been quick to keep Riyadh on side, and the prime minister recently visited for talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.”

“Pakistan, being located right on the war’s doorstep, clearly would prefer to take steps meant to help end the war, and not get dragged into it.”

“They cooperated against Moscow during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan.”

“If Pakistan were seen as aligning itself against Iran, that would risk angering the country’s Shia population, who have already held deadly protests against Khamenei’s death.”

“Pakistan’s powerful army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, has built up a personal rapport with US President Donald Trump and spoke to him last Sunday.”

“Iran was the first country to recognise Pakistan after its independence in 1947. Pakistan returned the favour for the Islamic Republic after the 1979 revolution.”

“Pakistan shares a 900-kilometre border in its southwest with Iran, and also deep historical, cultural and religious links.”

“Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a strategic mutual defence agreement in 2025, cementing longstanding ties but also restricting how far Islamabad can go in supporting Tehran.”

“And it is home to the world’s second-biggest Shia Muslim population after Iran.”

“Pakistan is far from being an unlikely US-Iran mediator. Many high-level Pak-Iran meetings over last year. The US admin very fond of Pak. Trump has said Munir knows Iran better than most. Also worth noting that Pakistan represents Iran’s diplomatic interests in the US.”

“Neutrality makes economic sense for Pakistan, which relies on oil and gas imports through the Strait of Hormuz. Continued disruption could worsen fuel supplies, drive up prices and force further austerity measures.”

“Cross-border militant activity in the Balochistan region is a concern for both.”

“But Pakistan also represents some Iranian diplomatic interests in Washington, where Tehran has no embassy.”

“An end to the conflict would not only boost regional stability and security but also Pakistan’s international standing.”

“Sharif praised Trump’s 'bold and visionary' intervention, while Munir said the US leader deserved the Nobel Peace Prize for stopping an escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbours.”

“On Iran, Trump said Pakistan knows the country 'better than most' and this week shared Sharif’s X post that Pakistan was 'ready' to host talks to end the conflict.”

“Munir - in a Western business suit rather than army fatigues - visited Washington with Sharif last year after a flare-up in hostilities between Pakistan and India in divided Kashmir.”