Pakistan is preparing to host a mini-summit in Islamabad with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey. The meeting, scheduled for March 29–30, aims to develop a common position to reduce tensions between Iran and the United States, as well as to discuss other regional issues. Pakistan is actively positioning itself as a potential mediator in this conflict, leveraging its good relations with both sides and close ties with the Gulf states.
Pakistan’s diplomatic activity includes high-level contacts with key players. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a one-hour phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to discuss regional tensions and peacemaking efforts. At the same time, Pakistani military officials have established contacts with US officials, including former President Donald Trump and US special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, as well as with Iranian representatives.
Through Pakistan, the US delivered a document to Iran containing 15 proposed points. According to reports, these points include demands to eliminate stocks of highly enriched uranium, halt enrichment operations, limit the ballistic missile program, as well as arrangements concerning the Strait of Hormuz and an end to Tehran’s support for allied groups. These proposals represent a comprehensive framework intended to simultaneously address nuclear, missile and regional aspects.
Iran rejects characterizing the process as direct “negotiations” with the US, despite reports that Pakistan conveyed an official response to the American plan. Ali Saferi, adviser to the spokesperson of Iran’s Foreign Ministry, said that any possible talks must be based on a complete halt to attacks on Iran. Tehran considers any American or regional diplomatic initiatives prior to de-escalation “unjust and unacceptable,” tying the start of any dialogue to a prior cessation of attacks.
The current military escalation in the region began on February 28 after US and Israeli strikes on Iran, spreading to areas of the Persian Gulf and other Arab countries with growing international repercussions. Pakistan’s mediation efforts come amid fears of a wider escalation and a desire to create a negotiating framework covering nuclear, missile and regional aspects. The success of diplomatic initiatives now depends on the willingness of the main parties to agree to conditions for halting the escalation and resuming dialogue.
Comments on the news
- What specific role does the Strait of Hormuz play in Iran’s economy and regional strategy, beyond being an important sea route? - The Strait of Hormuz serves as a key strategic lever and deterrent for Iran. Beyond the fact that the overwhelming majority of Iran’s oil exports pass through it, Tehran has repeatedly stated its readiness to block the strait in the case of an existential threat, allowing it to influence global energy prices and exert pressure on regional rivals such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Control over the strait also enhances Iran’s naval presence and serves as a bargaining chip in negotiations over the nuclear deal.
- Which “allied groups” in the region traditionally receive support from Iran, and what is their current role in Middle Eastern conflicts? - Iran’s traditional regional allies, forming the so-called “axis of resistance,” include Lebanon’s Hezbollah, Yemen’s Ansar Allah (the Houthis), a number of Shiite militias in Iraq (for example, Kataib Hezbollah), as well as Palestinian groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Their current role is to provide strategic depth for Iran: they deter opponents (Israel, the US, Saudi Arabia), participate in conflicts in Syria and Yemen, and strengthen Tehran’s bargaining position in diplomacy.
- Which specific “attacks on Iran” does Tehran refer to when setting the condition of stopping attacks for dialogue? Are these only the recent strikes or part of a longer history? - Tehran refers to both recent and historical hostile actions. Recent incidents include alleged Israeli strikes on facilities in Syria and Iraq that killed Iranian military advisers, cyberattacks on infrastructure, as well as assassinations of scientists (such as nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh in 2020). The longer history includes sanctions, economic pressure and past US support for Iranian opposition groups. The demand to stop attacks is Tehran’s attempt to set new “rules of the game” and obtain security guarantees.
Full version: تحرك رباعي في إسلام آباد لخفض التصعيد بين طهران وواشنطن