The high-stakes diplomacy that led to Pakistan hosting US-Iran peace talks
The high-stakes diplomacy that led to Pakistan hosting US-Iran peace talks
Pakistan’s role in facilitating a two-week truce between the United States and Iran has sparked national pride, with Islamabad’s streets now set for a two-day holiday ahead of the upcoming discussions. The talks, scheduled to begin on Saturday, remain uncertain in their outcome, yet the capital has prepared extensively for their arrival. Security has been ramped up, with around 10,000 police and military personnel deployed to ensure stability.
Global implications hang in the balance, as the Strait of Hormuz—a key passage for approximately 20% of the world’s oil—faces reopening after months of conflict. For Pakistan, however, the stakes are equally intense. South Asia expert Abdul Basit warns that failure to secure a deal could thrust the nation into a “nightmare scenario,” with tensions escalating along its borders with Iran, Afghanistan, and India. “Three of Pakistan’s borders could become battlegrounds,” he explains, noting that the country already struggles with insurgencies in two of its four provinces.
The Strategic Position of Pakistan
Despite these risks, Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts have earned it recognition as a critical mediator. The nation’s unique standing with the US, Iran, and Gulf states positions it as a key player. This relationship is anchored by General Asim Munir, the military chief, whose rapport with President Trump has been pivotal. According to Mushahid Hussain Syed, a ruling party senator, Trump refers to Munir as his “favourite field marshal.”
“Trump was so grateful that he mentioned this in his first address to the Congress,” says Maleeha Lodhi, a former Pakistan ambassador to the US and UN.
Munir’s influence extends beyond personal ties. His actions, guided by CIA intelligence, led to the apprehension of the suspected perpetrator of the 2021 Kabul airport bombing, which claimed 170 Afghan and 13 American lives during the evacuation. This move, along with Pakistan’s endorsement of Trump’s Nobel Peace Prize aspirations, has solidified the country’s role in US foreign policy.
Recent agreements have further deepened ties. In September 2025, the Frontier Works Organisation—under military control—signed a $500 million deal with a US firm, securing access to critical minerals. A month later, Pakistan endorsed a cryptocurrency initiative linked to Trump’s family, potentially integrating a stablecoin into its digital payment system. These steps highlight the nation’s strategic alignment with the US.
Yet Pakistan’s neutrality has not been absolute. It condemned the initial US-Israeli strikes in Iran but later criticized the country after its attack on Saudi oil facilities. On 7 April, Islamabad abstained from a UN Security Council resolution aimed at coordinating efforts to reopen the strait, reflecting its cautious balancing act between global powers.
