How Pakistan helped secure a fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran
How Pakistan helped secure a fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran
In the final moments prior to the agreement of a two-week ceasefire, Pakistan played a pivotal role in the delicate diplomatic process between Iran and the United States. A confidential Pakistan source shared with the BBC that discussions remained active, with the nation acting as a bridge between the two adversaries. The negotiations, led by a compact team within Pakistan, were described as proceeding “at pace,” though the atmosphere was marked by “sombre and serious” deliberations.
“There is still a sense of hope that hostilities will cease,” the source noted, adding, “the outcome remains uncertain, with only a few hours left to finalize the deal.”
Pakistan has long maintained ties with Iran, sharing a border and referring to their bond as “brotherly.” However, its relationship with the U.S. also holds significance, as President Trump praised Field Marshall Asim Munir, head of Pakistan’s military, as his “favourite” Field Marshall. He further claimed to understand Iran “better than most,” highlighting the nation’s dual role in the talks.
Despite these efforts, the ceasefire was not guaranteed. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, addressed parliament on Tuesday, stating that optimism had been “very high” until the previous day. This optimism was disrupted by Israel’s attack on Iran and Iran’s retaliatory strike against Saudi Arabia. “Pakistan was still striving to manage the situation,” Dar remarked, underscoring the challenges faced.
Field Marshall Munir expressed sharper criticism, according to military officials. He called the Saudi attack “a setback to peaceful resolutions,” marking one of the strongest statements from Pakistan against Iran since the conflict began. Analysts speculated that this could pressure Iran to reconsider its stance.
Pakistan’s defense agreement with Saudi Arabia, which has not yet been activated, adds another layer to its position. The Prime Minister, in a midnight X post, asserted that “diplomatic efforts are progressing steadily, strongly and powerfully,” with the potential for “substantive results” soon. Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, echoed this, noting a “step forward from a critical, sensitive stage” in the negotiations.
Shortly before 05:00 local time, the Prime Minister confirmed the ceasefire agreement and invited both nations to convene in Islamabad on Friday, 10 April, for “further negotiations toward a definitive resolution.” Yet, the Pakistan source emphasized that the situation remains “continued fragile,” with mutual distrust and entrenched positions persisting. The key question now is whether the parties can identify common ground amid the fragile truce.
