How Pakistan helped secure a fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran

How Pakistan helped secure a fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran

Just hours before a two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States was declared, Pakistan played a key role in facilitating the agreement. A confidential report from a Pakistani source shared with the BBC indicated that the negotiations were proceeding steadily, with Pakistan acting as a bridge between the two nations. The discussions, led by a tightly-knit group, were described as “serious and sombre” but maintained a tone of cautious optimism. The source emphasized that the talks were still ongoing, with the outcome uncertain but the potential for a halt in hostilities within reach.

“The talks continued ‘at pace,’ with Pakistan operating as an intermediary between Iran and the US,” the source said. “There are a few hours left.”

Pakistan has long served as a mediator in the Iran-US conflict, leveraging its strategic position and historical ties. The country shares a border with Iran and has cultivated a “brotherly” relationship with it over decades. Meanwhile, its alliance with the United States has also been pivotal, particularly under President Trump, who publicly praised Pakistan’s military leadership and claimed to understand Iran better than most. Despite these connections, the peace process remained delicate.

Speaking in parliament on Tuesday, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar noted the optimism surrounding the talks before Israel’s attack on Iran and Iran’s retaliation against Saudi Arabia. “Until yesterday, we were very optimistic that things are moving in a positive direction,” he stated. However, the ongoing strikes introduced new complications, leaving Pakistan to navigate the tensions with caution.

“Pakistan was still trying to manage things as much as possible,” Dar added.

Field Marshal Asim Munir, head of Pakistan’s armed forces, took a more direct stance. In conversations with military officials, he criticized Iran’s actions, calling the Saudi attack a setback for peaceful resolution. This marked one of the most pointed statements from Pakistan toward Iran since the conflict began. Analysts suggested the criticism could intensify pressure on Tehran.

Pakistan also maintains a defense agreement with Saudi Arabia, though it has not yet been activated amid the recent attacks. As the deadline neared, the Prime Minister tweeted at midnight local time that diplomatic efforts were “progressing steadily, strongly and powerfully,” with the potential to yield significant results soon. He urged President Trump to extend the ceasefire for two weeks and for Iran to keep the Strait of Hormuz open during that period.

Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, echoed the progress, posting at 03:00 local time that “a step forward from critical, sensitive stage” had been achieved. Minutes later, the Prime Minister announced that a ceasefire had been finalized, inviting both parties to meet in Islamabad on Friday, 10 April, for further talks. “We are still being very circumspect,” the Pakistani source told the BBC, highlighting the lingering fragility of the arrangement.