U.S. Vice President JD Vance stands in the House of Representatives before U.S. President Donald Trump’s speech during a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, U.S., March 4, 2025. PHOTO: REUTERS
Pakistan’s quiet but significant diplomatic efforts to mediate between the United States and Iran appear to have narrowly missed a breakthrough – twice.
According to a senior government official familiar with backdoor diplomacy, a high-level US delegation led by Vice President JD Vance was prepared twice in recent days to travel to Islamabad for direct talks with Iranian officials.
However, both attempts failed at the last minute after Tehran requested more time for internal consultations and ultimately decided not to participate.
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“The American delegation, led by its vice president, was ready to leave for Islamabad in recent days,” the official revealed. “We have come very close… twice in the last ten days to holding a crucial meeting. Unfortunately, on each occasion, Iran reconsidered its decision and did not send its team.”
Pakistan is actively positioning itself as a neutral facilitator in a context of escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran, offering Islamabad as a venue for dialogue.
The move reflects Islamabad’s broader efforts to ease regional tensions, particularly in the wake of escalating hostilities following US and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets.
The official noted that while the United States had shown willingness to engage, Iran seemed more cautious, weighing the risks of entering into negotiations under the current circumstances. “Let me tell you that we were a little disappointed by the Iranian response,” the official admitted.
“Their concerns about the United States are understandable, given recent developments, but diplomacy should always be given a chance, especially at such a critical time. »
In a telling revelation, the official also said that before the recent escalation, Pakistan had considered direct engagement with Iran at the highest level. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, along with the country’s top military officials, was set to travel to Tehran for talks with Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has since been assassinated in the conflict.
However, this planned visit never materialized. Iranian authorities, citing security concerns, have indicated that a meeting with the supreme leader would not be possible under current conditions, leading Pakistan to postpone the trip.
The official’s remarks provide a rare glimpse into the intense behind-the-scenes diplomacy taking place in the region — efforts that remain largely out of public view but have significant implications for regional stability.
Pakistan’s role is not limited to mediation alone. His diplomatic posture, particularly his criticism of Israel’s actions, has not resonated positively with some Gulf countries. This became evident during a key meeting held in Riyadh on March 19, where foreign ministers from 12 Muslim countries gathered to discuss the rapidly deteriorating regional situation.
According to the official, moments before the meeting began, the Turkish and Pakistani foreign ministers were having a bilateral meeting and Hakan Fidan’s phone rang and on the other side was his Iranian counterpart. Later, Ishaq Dar also joined this call during which Abbas Argachi urged both countries to ensure that the joint statement emerging from the meeting is not unilateral or disproportionate towards Iran.
This conversation notably took place in a context of increased tensions, with sirens reportedly sounding across Riyadh due to fears of possible Iranian retaliation.
During the ensuing meeting, a draft statement was circulated that Pakistani officials said largely blamed Iran for the escalation. Islamabad strongly opposed the text, arguing that it failed to address the root causes of the crisis, particularly Israel’s actions.
“Pakistan has emphasized that any statement must be balanced and must not ignore the underlying issues,” the official said. After several hours of deliberations, Pakistan managed to secure key amendments to the draft, ensuring a more nuanced and less accusatory final statement.
However, Pakistan’s assertive stance did not please all participants. Some countries were reportedly unhappy with Islamabad’s position, seeing it as too friendly towards Iran.
In addition to its diplomatic interventions, Pakistan has also been cautious about military or security initiatives that could further escalate tensions. The official said Islamabad opposed any proposal that could lead to the formation of a multinational task force in the Strait of Hormuz, a move seen by some as potentially provocative.
This cautious approach also explains Pakistan’s decision to skip a recent meeting hosted by the United Kingdom aimed at discussing measures to restore normal maritime traffic through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. Islamabad politely declined the invitation, citing concerns that the proposed initiative did not fit with its broader policy of de-escalation and neutrality.
Taken together, these developments underscore Pakistan’s delicate balancing act, seeking to play a constructive diplomatic role while avoiding becoming bogged down in a rapidly escalating conflict. Although its mediation efforts have yet to yield tangible results, the near-failure of U.S.-Iran negotiations highlights both the potential and challenges of backdoor diplomacy in one of the world’s most volatile regions.
