Pakistan’s role in US-Iran talks highlighted by analysts
6 reported
According to a report from DW, analysts describe Pakistan's diplomatic efforts as crucial in facilitating the US-Iran deal that serves as the foundation for ongoing talks in Switzerland. The report cites experts who say Pakistan leveraged its relationships with Tehran, Washington, and regional partners like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. Pakistani leaders, including army chief Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, visited Iran in May 2025, weeks before a short-lived conflict with Israel that ended with US bombing of Iran's nuclear facilities. After new US-Israeli airstrikes against Iran in late February, Pakistan engaged in shuttle diplomacy and hosted delegations led by US Vice President JD Vance and Iran's Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf for negotiations on April 11. The report notes that China and Gulf states provided support, with Chinese officials publicly backing Islamabad's initiative. Analysts quoted in the report describe Pakistan's role as extending beyond mere message-passing to direct mediation.
What’s reported
The US-Iran deal serves as foundation for ongoing talks in Switzerland, according to the report.
Pakistan's army chief Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Iran in May 2025.
The US and Israel launched new airstrikes against Iran in late February.
Pakistan hosted US Vice President JD Vance and Iran's Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf for negotiations on April 11.
Chinese officials publicly backed Pakistan's diplomatic initiative, the report states.
Analysts quoted say Pakistan was not simply a messenger but engaged in direct mediation.
Key figures
Farwa Aamer, director of South Asia Initiatives at the Asia Society Policy Institute in New York
Elizabeth Threlkeld, South Asia director at the Stimson Center
Michael Kugelman, senior fellow for South Asia at the Atlantic Council
Asim Munir, Pakistan's army chief
Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan's prime minister
Donald Trump, US president
Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran's president
JD Vance, US vice president
Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Iran's parliamentary speaker
Mohsin Naqvi, Pakistan's interior minister
Ishaq Dar, Pakistan's foreign minister
Sources: dw.com
