How Pakistan helped secure a fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran
How Pakistan Helped Secure a Fragile Ceasefire Between the US and Iran
As the two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States neared completion, Pakistan played a pivotal role, offering early indicators of optimism. A confidential source from Pakistan informed the BBC that discussions were accelerating, with the nation acting as a go-between for the two countries.
“The talks are moving at a brisk pace,” the Pakistan source said. “There’s a small group working on this, and the mood is serious but still hopeful that a halt to hostilities might be reached. Time is running out.”
Pakistan has mediated between Iran and the US for several weeks, facilitating communication between the adversaries. Its historical ties with Iran, including a shared border, and the frequent references to their “brotherly” bond, have positioned it as a crucial intermediary.
President Trump, meanwhile, has highlighted Pakistan’s military chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, as his “favorite” Field Marshal and claimed to understand Iran “better than most.” However, the ceasefire was not guaranteed, as tensions flared when Israel struck Iran on Monday, prompting Iran’s retaliation against Saudi Arabia.
“Up until yesterday, we were very optimistic that progress was being made,” Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stated in parliament on Tuesday evening. “The situation remains delicate, and we are doing our best to manage it.”
Field Marshal Munir was even more direct. During a meeting with military officials on Tuesday, he remarked that the attack on Saudi Arabia “undermines genuine attempts to resolve the conflict through peaceful channels.” This marked one of the most pointed criticisms Pakistan has issued against Iran since the conflict’s onset.
Pakistan maintains a defense agreement with Saudi Arabia, which has not been activated despite multiple attacks on the kingdom. As midnight approached in Pakistan, the Prime Minister shared a message on X, asserting that “diplomatic efforts are advancing steadily, robustly, and powerfully, with the potential to yield significant outcomes in the coming days.” He urged President Trump to extend the deadline by two weeks and for Iran to keep the Strait of Hormuz open during that time.
“There has been a forward step from a critical, sensitive stage,” said Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, posting on X around 3:00 AM local time (equivalent to midnight in the UK).
Just before 5:00 AM, Pakistan’s Prime Minister declared that a ceasefire had been reached and invited both parties to gather in Islamabad on Friday, April 10 to pursue a definitive agreement. The Pakistan source noted, “We remain very cautious,” highlighting that the situation’s “continued fragility” posed ongoing challenges.
Despite Pakistan’s efforts to bring the parties together, the lack of mutual trust persists, with both sides holding firm to their positions. The question remains: what common ground can be found to solidify the agreement?
