It’s a bit of a “surprise guest” in the conflict in the Middle East yet Pakistan could play a crucial role in de-escalating tensions between Iran and the United States. A role usually filled by Qatar in this region of the globe, but Doha has stepped aside this time.
This defection benefits Pakistan, which has positioned itself as an intermediary between Washington and Tehran, increasing exchanges with officials from both countries. “Pakistan is ready and honored to host and facilitate constructive and definitive talks towards a comprehensive resolution of the ongoing conflict,” explained Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Islamabad holds several aces up its sleeve and interests.
Good relations with Iran
The ties between Pakistan and Iran are longstanding and strong. Tehran was the first to recognize Pakistan after its independence in 1947, and Islamabad reciprocated to the Islamic Republic in 1979 after the revolution. The two countries also cooperated against the USSR during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. Today, Pakistani diplomacy represents Iranian interests in Washington in the absence of its own embassy for Iran.
Friend with Tehran, therefore, and with Washington. “Pakistan is the only country in the region to maintain good relations with both Iran and the United States,” confirmed former ambassador Asif Durrani to our colleagues at AFP. Pakistan’s powerful army chief, Marshal Asim Munir, has developed a personal relationship with Donald Trump. He accompanied Shehbaz Sharif, the Pakistani Prime Minister, on a trip to Washington last year after hostilities with India, and publicly supported the President’s Nobel Peace Prize candidacy. A flattery that was well received.
The “Land of the Pure” (the meaning of Pakistan) also benefits from a “network” of privileged relationships with several powers. In 2025, Islamabad signed a strategic mutual defense agreement with Saudi Arabia, for example. Just last month, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar hosted a meeting with his counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt to discuss de-escalating the conflict before jetting off to Beijing, with whom talks are also regular.
Own interests to defend
But if the world’s fifth-most populous country (over 250 million inhabitants) is so involved in the conflict, it is also because it serves its interests. Pakistan is heavily dependent on imported oil, much of which transits through the Strait of Hormuz. In March, the government had to increase fuel prices by 20% and take measures to limit the impacts on its economy (e.g., a 4-day workweek for civil servants).
Additionally, the pact signed with Saudi Arabia could indirectly drag the country into the conflict if Riyadh were attacked, while Pakistan is already at war with Afghanistan and exchanged strikes with India last year. By getting involved in this way, Pakistan benefits from a certain visibility that could, in the long run, elevate its standing on the international stage.
