A staff member removes the Iranian flag from the stage after a group photo with foreign ministers and representatives of the United States, Iran, China, Russia, Britain, Germany, France and the European Union during the Iran nuclear negotiations at the International Center in Vienna, Austria, July 14, 2015. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan is set to host what could be the decisive round of talks between Iran and the United States, as a series of crucial confidence-building measures taken by both sides on Friday revived hopes of a historic deal, diplomatic sources said.
They said the delegations from Tehran and Washington had agreed in principle to travel to Islamabad very soon for the next round.
The move follows an intense phase of behind-the-scenes diplomacy by Pakistan after the failure of the first round of negotiations.
Sources described the upcoming engagement as “crucial”, with momentum restored after what they called “unprecedented diplomatic efforts” by Islamabad to prevent the process from collapsing.
Pakistan’s role as mediator was initially greeted with skepticism, even within domestic political circles.
Questions have been raised about whether Islamabad possesses the influence and credibility needed to assuage the deep distrust between Iran and the United States and, more importantly, to avoid potential military escalation.
However, instead of engaging in public grandstanding, Pakistan has quietly pursued a calibrated engagement strategy with both sides.
Against all odds, Islamabad initially managed to secure a two-week ceasefire, creating the space needed for diplomacy to take root.
That was followed by a rare face-to-face meeting between Iranian and U.S. officials in Islamabad, an important step even if it failed to resolve key differences.
Diplomatic insiders say the real breakthrough happened next.
With the peace process at stake and Tehran deeply suspicious of Washington’s intentions, Pakistan stepped up its efforts. In a high-stakes move, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir traveled to Tehran to engage directly with Iranian leaders.
The visit, described by officials as “important”, proved crucial in removing key bottlenecks that had blocked progress.
The result was quick. A ceasefire in Lebanon was announced, while Iran took the reciprocal step of reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a development widely seen as a key confidence-building measure to maintain dialogue.
Analysts believe that Pakistan’s effectiveness as a mediator stems from a combination of strategic factors.
Although Islamabad maintains close ties with Tehran and also maintains a working relationship with the Trump administration, observers say its influence extends beyond traditional diplomacy.
Pakistan’s status as a nuclear power, coupled with its military might and deep understanding of regional security dynamics, has given it unique leverage.
Unlike conventional mediators like Oman or Qatar, Pakistan has been able to take into account the broader geostrategic environment, including nuclear considerations, proxy conflicts, and its defense ties with key regional players such as Saudi Arabia.
By using these levers, Islamabad sent a clear message to Tehran: the current window for an agreement represented a strategic opportunity, which may not remain open indefinitely.
At the same time, Pakistan has engaged Washington at the highest levels, calling for restraint and emphasizing the need to prevent any potential saboteurs from derailing the process.
Despite this progress, officials caution against premature optimism.
Since American President Donald Trump announced his desire to go to Islamabad to sign a possible agreement, a wave of optimism has taken over part of the media. However, diplomats stress that the negotiations remain complex and far from concluded.
“A deal isn’t done until it’s done,” one source said.
Although there is broad agreement on several issues, negotiations on more controversial points are still ongoing. The process involves detailed, step-by-step engagement, requiring patience, precision and lasting trust between parties facing decades of hostility.
Officials also warn of lingering risks, including domestic political pressures in both countries and the possibility of external disruptions attempting to undermine progress.
