The new mediator in the Iran-US arena?

2026-03-25 - 17:04

As tensions in the Middle East escalate and the war against Iran rages on, Pakistan is working to leverage its strategic assets – from its unique geographic position to the complex web of relationships it maintains simultaneously with Tehran and Washington. Islamabad is seeking to position itself as a key mediator in efforts to end the confrontation between the American-Israeli coalition and Iran. Having failed to honor its defense pact with Saudi Arabia, and against the backdrop of sectarian sensitivities and military tensions with Afghanistan, it is now embracing a declared posture of neutrality and consolidating its role as a critical diplomatic junction. According to reports, Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, spoke with President Trump on Sunday, while Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif held a parallel call the following day with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Pakistan is not operating in a vacuum. Its efforts join a broader set of regional mediation initiatives that include Oman – the Middle East's traditional back-channel broker – which has taken an active stance, as well as Turkey, Iran's neighbor and a NATO member. This mediation axis, which also includes Egypt, has maintained continuous communication channels in recent weeks with senior officials in Tehran and American representatives. Field Marshal General Asim Munir prays at General Headquarters, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, May 21, 2025 (Photo: via AP) Behind-the-scenes contacts A source familiar with the details told the Washington Post that the mediating countries are working to convene a summit in Islamabad as early as this week between senior American and Iranian officials. Pakistan's geographic position once again plays a meaningful role, elevating its standing as a key player in the process. As the Middle East has ceased to be a safe space for senior figures of the Tehran regime – given Israel's targeted-killing policy – Pakistan offers an alternative in the form of a protected diplomatic refuge. Over the years, Pakistan has skillfully positioned itself as a strategic asset for Washington – first as a frontline state against the Soviet Union during the Cold War, and later as a central base in the war on terror against the Taliban. These interests have driven a complex and enduring alliance with the US, despite deep disagreements. Now, Islamabad appears to be attempting to recreate that model. An additional factor in the equation is the domestic Sunni-Shia sectarian tension within Pakistan, which has intensified since the signing of the security agreement with Saudi Arabia in September, continued as the campaign against Iran opened, and has escalated in recent days. Pakistan is investing efforts in projecting itself as a balancing force in the Muslim world – between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and between the Sunni and Shia worlds – but that balance is becoming increasingly complicated. Between domestic pressure and regional interests The campaign against Iran has intensified pressure in Pakistani society. When news broke of the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif issued a sharp condemnation, but that did not prevent mass protests that united Shia and Sunni fundamentalists. The protesters accused the government of collaborating with the West and Israel, and the peak of events came with an attack on the American consulate in Karachi, where ten civilians were shot dead by security forces. Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif (Photo: Reuters) Against that backdrop, and in honor of Ramadan, Asim Munir and the Ulema (Shia religious scholars) gathered for a festive Iftar (the meal breaking the Ramadan fast) dinner intended to project a message of reconciliation – but it became a political scandal. Instead of dialogue, Munir delivered a combative speech in which he stressed that "Pakistan comes first," and confronted the Shia community's leadership. His remarks – including the statement that those who identify with Iran can leave the country – were seen as casting doubt on their loyalty. When Iran attacked Saudi Arabia, the expectation was that Pakistan would honor its commitments under the security pact – but it refrained from direct military involvement. The government cited the ongoing fighting against the Taliban in Afghanistan, which continues to exact a heavy toll. Pakistan's emergence as a potential mediator rests not only on its location but also on the warming of relations with the Trump administration. General Munir is seen as a stable partner, and the ties of special envoy Steve Witkoff – alongside business connections to the Pakistani market – add a layer of trust between the parties. Against this backdrop, Islamabad appears to hold significant cards for hosting a regional diplomatic effort, but the question remains whether it will succeed in translating them into a ceasefire. Dr. Oshrit Birvadker is an expert in Indian foreign and security policy, an adviser to defense companies, and a senior researcher at the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security (JISS).