Did 'Terror Hub' Pakistan Play Big Mediation Role Between US And Iran?

Pakistan, which has a history of "breaking" peace in the world, has now reportedly claimed to be "brokering" peace between Iran and the United States. According to a report by the Financial Times, Pakistani army chief Asim Munir spoke with US President Donald Trump on Sunday. Citing two people, the newspaper claimed Islamabad was projected to be the "holy" place to peace talks between the two warrning nations.

Why did Pakistan's name come as a surprise to many?

Although it wasn’t a surprise in the diplomatic circles that Pakistan did not mention Israel, the one which initiated the ongoing conflict, it is obvious that the relations between the two nations are as rival as with India. Additionally, Pakistan has a history of terrorisng the whole world through its terror networks. Even America had witnessed its worst-ever terror attack in 9/11 attack where thousands of innocent people were killed. Therefore, the role of Pakistan is a matter of concerns for many who watched its activity closely in the past three decades. 

Shehbaz Sharif dials Iran

Earlier on Monday, Pakistani media reported that Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had a phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, where he stressed the urgent need for collective efforts for de-escalation in West Asia. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in a statement that Sharif conveyed his "serious concern" to Pezeshkian over the "dangerous ongoing hostilities in the Gulf region".

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"In view of this grave situation, the prime minister underscored the urgent need to work collectively for de-escalation and a return to dialogue and diplomacy amongst all the neighbouring countries to settle their differences," the statement said.

It further stated that Sharif "assured the Iranian leadership that Pakistan would continue to play a constructive role in facilitating peace in the region". "As a neighbouring brotherly country of Iran, the prime minister conveyed Pakistan's solidarity with the brave Iranian people in the wake of the ongoing hostilities," the statement said.

What Iran says

“Over the past few days, messages were received via certain friendly states conveying the US request for negotiations to end the war,” Esmaeil Baqaei, the foreign ministry’s spokesperson, told official news agency IRNA. “Appropriate responses were given [to those initiatives] in accordance with the country’s fundamental positions.”

White House responds to Pakistan mediation claims

Reacting to the speculation in the media, US White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Monday said nothing concrete could be said as of now over the reports claiming that US Vice President JD Vance, US Special Presidential Envoy for Peace Missions, Steve Witkoff and Businessman and former Senior Advisor to the President of the United States, Jared Kushner, will meet with Iranian officials in Islamabad.

Leavitt said that it should not be deemed as final until it is formally announced by the White House.

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Leavitt responded, "These are sensitive diplomatic discussions, and the US will not negotiate through the press. This is a fluid situation, and speculation about meetings should not be deemed as final until they are formally announced by the White House."

Trump pauses attacks on Iran

Although there was no official confirmation from either the Pakistan or the US side that Islamabad facilitated the peace talks between Iran and Trump officials, the report came on the same day Trump said the US was talking with a "respected" Iranian leader and claimed the Islamic Republic was eager for a deal to end the war. He also extended a deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face attacks on its power plants, saying it has an additional five days.

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Refuting the direct talks on peace, Iran's semiofficial Fars and Tasnim news agencies portrayed the American president as backing down. "Since the start of the war, messages have been sent to Tehran by some mediators, but Iran's clear response has been that it will continue its defence until the required level of deterrence is achieved," Tasnim said.

(With inputs from agency)