Mediation between the United States and Iran: Pakistan at the forefront of global diplomatic stage

After Donald Trump had just threatened to exterminate the Iranian civilization, Washington and Tehran finally agreed, on April 7, 2026, to a temporary two-week ceasefire in exchange for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Pakistan, with its privileged relations with both countries, played an important role in the negotiations and will host the upcoming discussions on its territory.

The announcement of the fragile ceasefire between the United States, Israel, and Iran was first communicated through a post by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on his X account.

This is a significant diplomatic victory for Pakistan, even though the agreement was quickly threatened by continued and even intensified Israeli bombings in Lebanon.

Pakistan will remain at the center of the peace negotiations, as discussions between the parties will take place on its territory starting from April 10.

Islamabad has managed to bring together the two adversaries by leveraging its long-standing relationships with them and agreements made with both sides. In doing so, it emerges as a diplomatic force to be reckoned with.

The long relationship with Iran

Pakistan and Iran have maintained an ancient friendship and alliance. Sharing over 900 kilometers of borders, the two countries have sought to help each other resolve diplomatic crises since Pakistan’s creation in 1947.

During Iran’s monarchic period, which ended in 1979, Pakistan benefited from Iranian mediation in its disputes with Afghanistan and active support from Tehran during the wars with India in 1965 and 1971. The relationship was not without tensions, as former Pakistani Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (1973-1977) reportedly did not appreciate the Shah of Iran’s haughty attitude.

These close ties continued after the Islamic revolution in Iran. Nearly 20% of Pakistan’s population is Shiite and has long maintained a close relationship with the Iranian regime.

Tehran has also used these communities to promote its own vision of Islam and politics, being careful not to cross certain boundaries. The regime ensured that tensions did not escalate to a point where the Pakistani government would see it as a destabilizing factor and a threat to its own security.

Because of this shared history and geographical proximity, the Iranian regime is particularly inclined to listen to its Pakistani counterpart.

Regional and national security

Contributing to the stabilization of the situation in Iran is especially crucial for Pakistan, as it seeks to prevent the fragmentation of its western neighbor into smaller states.

Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province, is experiencing a resurgence of armed violence by the separatist Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). Its fighters have attacked numerous military installations, law enforcement agencies, and officials, especially those from Punjab (the most populous and economically important province).

Pakistan is aware that a weakened or fragmented Iran could increase the appeal of the BLA’s ideology. Islamabad refuses to entertain the idea of creating a Greater Balochistan that would encompass territories from both sides of its borders with Iran.

Another consideration is that Pakistan fears its nuclear arsenal could become the next target for foreign powers and seeks to defuse tensions in the region as a whole.

Pakistan’s geographical situation is also crucial. Islamabad does not want to find itself squeezed between an Iran controlled by Israel and an India that is already a close ally of Tel Aviv.

The Iranian regime is likely aware of these concerns and understands that Pakistan’s mediation is based on its own worries about the country’s security. From the Iranian perspective, this is not necessarily a bad thing—it means that all avenues are being explored to achieve a ceasefire and lasting resolution.

Allies in the MAGA camp

Pakistan holds real credibility in the eyes of the Trump administration. This is primarily due to the substantial role played by the Pakistani military in shaping the country’s foreign policy. This influence, evident since Pakistan’s inception over 80 years ago, has strengthened in recent times.

In 2022, General Asim Munir assumed the position of Chief of Army Staff. He was promoted to the rank of Marshal following the “mini-war” between Pakistan and India in May 2025.

Expected to remain in office for the next five years and possibly until 2035, Munir has become the most powerful general in charge of Pakistan in decades.

Munir has established cordial relations with US President Donald Trump. He has visited the administration headquarters twice, including being received in the Oval Office.

Munir has also influenced Pakistan’s policy towards the Gulf, particularly in signing a mutual defense strategic agreement with Saudi Arabia in September 2025. This agreement builds on decades of defense cooperation between the two countries and clearly states that any attack on one country will be considered an attack on both.

Although Pakistan has emphasized that it does not extend its nuclear umbrella to Saudi Arabia, this agreement reflects a shared regional deterrence and the ability of the two states to collaborate against their adversaries.

This agreement was followed by a defense strategic agreement between Saudi Arabia and the United States during the visit of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Washington in November 2025.

An alliance has thus been formed between the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan.

China, another ally

At the same time, Pakistan maintains strong military, economic, and political relations with China. Beijing favors de-escalation in the Gulf conflict due to its heavy dependence on oil from the region. This interest was clearly expressed during the visit of Pakistani Minister of Foreign Affairs Ishaq Dar to China on March 31. Shortly before that, he had met with his Saudi, Egyptian, and Turkish counterparts, confirming that Pakistan benefits from the support of all major Muslim-majority powers and China.

By contributing to a possible solution to the conflict in Iran in a way that allows Donald Trump to highlight his mediation efforts and save face, Islamabad emerges as the major diplomatic winner of the current sequence.