Pakistan faces pressure over mediator role in Iran war

DW  Pakistan has taken on a leading role in the peace efforts between the US and Iran, hosting talks and serving as an intermediary for backchannel diplomacy between the warring parties.

For Islamabad, the stakes are high. Officials view stability in the Gulf as closely tied to the country's own economic and security interests. A broader confrontation between the US and Iran could disrupt trade routes, deepen energy pressures, inflame sectarian tensions and further destabilize Pakistan's sensitive border regions with Iran.

International prestige is also at play for the Pakistani government as they work to end a conflict affecting the entire world. But this also means a risk of reputational damage.

"Pakistan risks growing criticism if its efforts to revive US-Iran talks fail, especially after publicly taking a leading mediation role," Michael Kugelman, a senior fellow for South Asia at the Washington-based Atlantic Council, told DW. 

"With talks stalled, Pakistan's options are limited because a mediator cannot force two deeply distrustful sides to negotiate," he added.

Islamabad lashes out at 'misleading' CBS report
"Pakistan is trying its best to engage both parties and views the escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran with grave concern," a senior government official involved in the negotiation process told DW. 

"We are committed to playing a constructive diplomatic role to support immediate de-escalation and a peaceful resolution in the interest of regional and global security," the official added.

Earlier this week, a report in US media raised doubt over Pakistan's neutrality in the Iran conflict. Citing unnamed US officials, CBS News reported that Pakistan had allowed Iran to park its aircraft on Pakistani airbases, effectively shielding them from US strikes.

Pakistan's Foreign Office immediately responded by calling the report "misleading" and "speculative." In an official statement, Islamabad said the aircraft activity was linked to diplomatic and logistical arrangements connected to ongoing peace efforts and involved personnel from multiple sides.

The Foreign Office also warned that "unverified and sensationalized reporting" risked undermining sensitive diplomatic initiatives.

China wants Pakistan to 'step up' as mediator
US Senator Lindsey Graham, an outspoken supporter of the US war in Iran, publicly criticized Pakistan following the CBS report. His remarks reflect broader concerns among some US policymakers who fear Pakistan may be appearing too accommodating toward Tehran while still seeking to preserve strategic ties with Washington.

At the same time, US rival China has openly encouraged Pakistan to expand its diplomatic role. According to the AFP news agency, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged Islamabad to "step up" mediation efforts between Iran and the United States and help stabilize the region, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz.

The question remains, however, how much Pakistan can do to bridge the divide between Washington and Tehran. The US and Iran held a high-level summit in Islamabad last month, but Pakistan's subsequent efforts to set up direct talks have failed.

"The outcome of the talks was never guaranteed, nor in the hands of Pakistan," Imtiaz Gul, an independent security analyst, told DW.  "It all depended on Trump's willingness to engage in talks based on Iran's ten-point proposal. Agreement was also contingent upon Iran's willingness to stick to all demands or recalibrate for a middle way," he added.

"I think the US and others misread the Iranian character and underestimated their resolve. This is what caused the setback. I am not sure if the level of trust in Pakistan (of the respective parties) is as high as it was when the mediation was launched," remarked Gul.