War in the Middle East: Ceasefire between Iran and the United States, a great diplomatic victory for Pakistan

Pakistan’s Diplomatic Success in Mediating US-Iran Ceasefire

In the background of the truce signed between the United States and Iran, Pakistan has maneuvered well, leveraging its relationships with both parties to secure a temporary ceasefire and initiate negotiations to end the war in the Middle East.

“Pakistan has achieved one of its greatest diplomatic successes in years,”
said Michael Kugelman, a South Asia specialist. “It has also proven many skeptics and detractors wrong who doubted its ability to handle such a complex and risky endeavor.”

Long-standing Relationship with Iran

“Pakistan has strong assets, being

the only country in the region with good relations with both the United States and Iran,”
stated the former ambassador to Tehran, Asif Durrani.

Pakistan shares 900 kilometers of border with Iran, fostering deep historical, cultural, and religious ties. Tehran was the first to recognize Pakistan after its independence in 1947. Islamabad reciprocated after the 1979 revolution. Their cooperation included combating Moscow during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. Both countries are concerned about armed groups’ activities in the Balochistan region.

Pakistani diplomacy also represents Iranian diplomatic interests in Washington
, where Tehran does not have an embassy.

Personal Relationship between Munir and Trump

Pakistan’s powerful army chief, Marshal Asim Munir, has developed a personal relationship with US President Donald Trump. Munir visited Washington with Shehbaz Sharif last year after hostilities with India. The Prime Minister praised the President’s “bold and visionary” intervention, while Munir supported Trump’s Nobel Peace Prize ambitions for averting escalation between two nuclear-armed neighbors.

Pakistan knows Iran “better than most,”
Trump assessed. Their personal ties have long helped strengthen bilateral relations marked by shifting strategic interests.

Between Shiites and Saudis

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a strategic defense agreement in 2025, enhancing long-standing ties while limiting Islamabad’s flexibility in supporting Tehran. The Sharif government negotiated in Riyadh, where the Prime Minister recently held talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Pakistan also maintains close relations with Beijing
, which, as Donald Trump told AFP, helped convince Iran to come to the negotiating table.

What Lies Ahead for Pakistan?

Neutrality is crucial economically for

Pakistan, which relies on hydrocarbon imports passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Continued disruptions could worsen fuel supplies, raise prices, and compel the cash-strapped government to impose new austerity measures.

If the war ends sustainably, it would not only boost regional stability but also

Pakistan’s international standing
, especially as it is currently engaged in an armed conflict with neighboring Afghanistan and less than a year after exchanging strikes with its arch-rival, India.

What’s the Next Step?

The Pakistani Prime Minister announced that American and Iranian delegations would be welcomed in the capital starting from April 10.

“Iran will feel more comfortable in Islamabad, which is why it accepted Pakistan’s mediation,” explained Asif Durrani, the former ambassador, suggesting that Pakistan could help both parties resolve lingering differences. If talks were direct, “Pakistan could assist in refining the language in case of a deadlock,” he noted, adding that

Pakistani officials could also serve as intermediaries if the two parties refuse to meet face to face.

Israel has announced support for Donald Trump’s decision to halt attacks on Iran, clarifying that the ceasefire does not include Lebanon. This contradicts an earlier statement by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the conflict mediator, who assured that the ceasefire applied “everywhere, including Lebanon.”