Pakistan has moved to the centre of efforts to mediate between the United States and Iran, with top officials engaged in a flurry of diplomatic activity across the region this week. According to Dawn, the White House said on Wednesday that it is discussing a possible second round of peace talks with Iran in Islamabad and is optimistic about reaching a deal. The development comes after last week’s direct talks in the Pakistani capital ended without a breakthrough, though the diplomatic channel remained open.
Shuttle Diplomacy
Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, led a delegation to Tehran, where he was welcomed by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Araghchi, in a post on X, said he was “delighted to welcome Field Marshal Munir to Iran” and expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s hosting of the dialogue, calling it a reflection of the “deep and great bilateral relationship” and a shared commitment to regional peace. According to a source close to the Pakistani delegation cited by Dawn, Munir carried a message from Washington, including updates related to efforts to secure a ceasefire in Lebanon. Iran was awaiting an Israeli announcement on a ceasefire before deciding its response to the message relayed through Pakistan, the source added, underlining how developments in Lebanon remain tied to the broader negotiation track.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif embarked on a four-day tour to Riyadh, Doha and Istanbul, beginning with a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The visit is part of Pakistan’s broader effort to engage Gulf partners in the mediation process.
Gulf Diplomacy and Regional Consultations
The South China Morning Post reports that Pakistani mediators are seeking ways to “extricate the Gulf monarchies from the conflict.” The effort has already produced a second confidence-building phone call in a week between Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi and his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan. Araghchi also spoke on Tuesday with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani for the first time since the war erupted six weeks ago.
These exchanges came as the deputy foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt—the latter two serving as co-mediators—began consultations in Islamabad on a regional diplomatic and security framework to manage the conflict’s aftermath.
US Optimism and Lingering Tensions
US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that talks could resume by the end of the week, according to both Dawn and the South China Morning Post. The White House’s optimism about a second round in Islamabad contrasts with the aftermath of last weekend’s failed talks between Vice-President J.D. Vance and a senior Iranian delegation. Trump advised New York Post correspondent Caitlin Doornbos to delay her departure from Islamabad, as reported by the South China Morning Post, hinting at a possible resumption of talks.
Dawn quoted the White House as calling the Pakistanis “incredible mediators,” reflecting Washington’s view of Pakistan’s role. However, the tone in the South China Morning Post is more cautious, describing the situation as delicate. Both outlets highlight the fragility of the truce, which is set to expire in days.
Divergent Framings and Unverified Claims
While both sources agree on the core facts—Pakistan’s mediation role, the army chief’s visit to Tehran, the prime minister’s Gulf tour, and the prospect of a second round—they diverge in emphasis. Dawn frames the story optimistically, focusing on the White House’s positive outlook and the welcome received in Tehran. The South China Morning Post, by contrast, places greater weight on the challenges, including the failure of the first round and the need to manage the aftermath.
Several claims in the reports are attributed to a single unnamed source close to the Pakistani delegation and have not been independently verified. These include the assertion that Munir carried a specific message from Washington and that Iran’s response was contingent on an Israeli ceasefire announcement. Similarly, the detail of Trump advising a journalist to delay her departure, reported only by the South China Morning Post, remains unconfirmed.
Conclusion
Pakistan’s diplomatic offensive underscores its emergence as a key intermediary in the US-Iran standoff. The coming days will reveal whether the reported optimism translates into a second round of talks and, ultimately, a deal. For now, the situation remains fluid, with the truce deadline looming and multiple regional actors engaged in parallel consultations.