ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s unexpected inclusion in renewed United States–Irannegotiations has placed Islamabad at the center of a delicate diplomaticeffort aimed at preventing a wider Middle East conflict. Despite not beinga direct stakeholder in regional hostilities, Pakistan’s participationsignals a growing international recognition of its stabilising role. Thedevelopment reflects shifting geopolitical calculations, where trustedintermediaries are increasingly valued to de-escalate tensions threateningglobal energy routes and regional security.
Pakistan’s relevance stems from its balanced relations with both Washingtonand Tehran, cultivated over decades through cautious diplomacy. Unlikeseveral regional actors, Islamabad maintains functional ties with Iranwhile also engaging strategically with the United States. Analysts arguethis dual access positions Pakistan as a credible interlocutor capable ofconveying messages, reducing misunderstandings, and facilitatingconfidence-building measures during periods of heightened confrontationbetween the two adversaries.
According to diplomatic observers, Pakistan’s involvement also highlights abroader change in US regional strategy. Rather than unilaterally managingMiddle Eastern crises, Washington appears inclined to share diplomaticresponsibility with capable partners. This approach reduces political andmilitary costs while leveraging regional insights of countries such asPakistan, which possess deep understanding of Muslim-majority societies andcomplex regional fault lines.
Kamran Bokhari of the New Lines Institute has noted that inviting Pakistaninto the talks reflects an American desire to distribute its regionalburden. This shift aligns with Washington’s recalibration toward strategiccompetition elsewhere, prompting it to rely on partners to manageflashpoints. Pakistan’s ability to engage without ideological rigidity orovert alignment makes it a practical choice in sensitive negotiationsinvolving Iran.
For Pakistan, participation carries both opportunity and risk.Diplomatically, it elevates Islamabad’s global standing and reinforces itslong-standing narrative of being a responsible regional actor. Successfulmediation could strengthen Pakistan’s case as a peace facilitator, similarto its past roles in Afghan reconciliation. However, failure or perceivedbias could expose it to diplomatic backlash from either side, requiringcareful balancing.
Islamabad’s interest in regional stability is also rooted in economic andsecurity considerations. Escalation between the US and Iran threatensenergy supplies, trade routes, and oil prices, all of which directly affectPakistan’s fragile economy. Moreover, instability in the Middle East hashistorically spilled over into South Asia through refugee flows andsecurity challenges, reinforcing Pakistan’s incentive to supportde-escalation efforts.
Regional analysts suggest Pakistan’s neutrality is a key asset. Unlike Gulfstates aligned closely with Washington or factions sympathetic to Tehran,Pakistan has avoided entanglement in proxy conflicts. This relativeneutrality enhances its credibility, allowing it to focus on dialoguefacilitation rather than agenda-setting. Such a role aligns with Pakistan’sbroader foreign policy objective of avoiding zero-sum regional rivalries.
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The talks also underscore Pakistan’s evolving diplomatic capacity beyondits immediate neighbourhood. Traditionally focused on South Asia andAfghanistan, Islamabad is increasingly engaging in wider geopoliticalconversations. This reflects institutional learning within Pakistan’sforeign service and military-diplomatic establishment, which has sought todiversify partnerships and assert relevance in multilateral crisismanagement.
Ultimately, Pakistan’s participation does not guarantee a breakthrough inUS–Iran relations, but it adds a pragmatic channel for communication at acritical moment. Even incremental progress in reducing tensions wouldvalidate Islamabad’s involvement and reinforce the value of inclusivediplomacy. As global powers reassess interventionist approaches, Pakistan’srole may represent a model of middle-power mediation in an increasinglyfragmented international order.
Image: A diplomatic meeting room symbolising dialogue between the UnitedStates, Iran, and Pakistan with national flags displayed.
Source:https://www.bbc.com/urdu
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