ISLAMABAD: In a significant diplomatic breakthrough amid escalating Middle East tensions, the United States has confirmed delivering a comprehensive 15-point peace plan to Iran through Pakistani mediation channels.

US special envoy Steve Witkoff made the revelation during a televised Cabinet meeting on Thursday, stating that the framework for a potential peace deal was circulated via the Pakistani government acting as intermediary.

The announcement has sparked cautious optimism in regional capitals even as Iran has publicly rejected key elements of the proposal and outlined its own conditions for ending hostilities.

The 15-point action list reportedly includes extensive sanctions relief for Iran in exchange for the complete removal of its enriched uranium stockpiles and abandonment of further enrichment capabilities.

Additional demands focus on limiting Tehran’s ballistic missile programme and requiring cessation of support to regional militant groups such as Hezbollah, the Houthis and Hamas.

Officials familiar with the plan have indicated provisions for stronger International Atomic Energy Agency monitoring and guarantees for safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint carrying nearly one-fifth of global oil supplies.

Pakistan’s role as mediator stems from its longstanding ties with both Washington and Tehran, positioning Islamabad uniquely to facilitate indirect communications.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif publicly offered Pakistan as a venue to host meaningful talks, describing the opportunity as an honour to contribute towards comprehensive settlement of the ongoing conflict.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar further confirmed that indirect talks are underway through messages relayed by Pakistan, with the 15 points currently under deliberation in Tehran.

Pakistani officials have highlighted positive initial messaging following delivery of the plan, though details remain closely guarded to protect sensitive backchannel efforts.

Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Pakistan’s army chief, has reportedly emerged as a key interlocutor leveraging established contacts within Iranian circles.

The proposal arrives as the US-Iran conflict enters its fourth week, with disruptions to maritime routes already impacting global energy markets and driving volatility in oil prices.

International reports suggest the plan envisions an initial one-month ceasefire to allow negotiations on broader terms, though Iran has dismissed direct talks with the current US administration.

Iranian state media quoted officials responding negatively, insisting Tehran will end the war on its own timeline and when its conditions are fully met.

Despite the rejection, multiple regional actors including Egypt and Turkey have expressed support for Pakistan-led mediation initiatives and urged constructive engagement.

Analysts note that Pakistan’s mediation bid reflects Islamabad’s strategic interest in regional stability, given its geographic proximity to Iran and shared security concerns.

Successful de-escalation could open avenues for economic cooperation and reduce spillover risks into South Asia.

The White House has refrained from detailed public comments on the plan’s specifics while acknowledging elements of truth in media reporting.

President Donald Trump has previously voiced optimism about achieving a deal, warning Iran against further miscalculations that could invite stronger responses.

Diplomatic sources indicate that possible in-person discussions in Islamabad or Ankara could materialise in coming days if both sides show flexibility.

The involvement of multiple Muslim-majority nations in mediation underscores growing calls for an Asian-led resolution to the Gulf crisis.

Observers point to the high stakes involved, with potential sanctions relief holding immense economic value for sanctions-hit Iran while addressing core US and Israeli security concerns over nuclear and missile threats.

Pakistan’s confirmation of its intermediary role adds credibility to the process and demonstrates Islamabad’s diplomatic activism on the global stage.

As deliberations continue, the coming hours and days will prove critical in determining whether the 15-point framework can bridge deep divides or merely serve as another round of indirect posturing.

Regional stability, global energy security and the future trajectory of US-Iran relations now hinge on careful navigation of these delicate backchannel exchanges facilitated through Pakistani channels.