Can Pakistan push the US-Iran deal over the finish line?
Can Pakistan push the US-Iran deal over the finish line? Pakistan says a final peace deal text has been agreed between the US and Iran, with only next steps left to finalise. Iranian Foreign Ministeโฆ
Pakistan says a final peace deal text has been agreed between the US and Iran, with only next steps left to finalise. This report comes from Al Jazee
Read Full Story at Al Jazeera โWhy This Matters
The potential conclusion of a US-Iran deal would mark a rare diplomatic breakthrough in a region plagued by proxy conflicts, economic sanctions, and mutual distrust. For Pakistan, which has long positioned itself as a mediator between rival powers, a successful agreement could validate its claim to strategic leverage and reinforce its role in shaping regional security dynamics.
Background Context
The US and Iran have been locked in indirect negotiations for years, with Pakistan intermittently facilitating backchannel talks amid its own complex relationships with both sides. Iranโs nuclear program, US sanctions, and regional proxy rivalriesโsuch as in Yemen and Syriaโhave made this one of the most volatile diplomatic puzzles of the past decade, with Pakistanโs diplomats occasionally acting as unofficial conduits.
What Happens Next
If Pakistanโs mediation gains traction, the next hurdle will be securing formal endorsements from all parties, particularly Washingtonโs allies in the Gulf, who may view any rapprochement with skepticism. Domestic political reactionsโboth in Pakistan and Iranโcould also complicate final ratification, while the USโs pre-election timeline adds urgency to the process.
Bigger Picture
A successful deal would signal a shift in Middle Eastern diplomacy, where direct engagements between the US and Iran have been rare outside of nuclear talks. It could also embolden other regional actors, like Turkey or Saudi Arabia, to pursue their own initiatives, potentially reshaping the balance of power in a fractured geopolitical landscape.
