ISLAMABAD:
Behind-the-scenes efforts to arrange talks between the United States and Iran are still underway, despite previous attempts to convene a high-level meeting in Islamabad that failed to materialize, sources familiar with the matter said.
According to sources, Pakistan had quietly facilitated preparations for a possible round of direct engagement involving a US delegation led by Vice President JD Vance and senior Iranian officials.
The proposed meeting, to be held in Islamabad, was seen as a potential opening towards de-escalation amid heightened regional tensions.
However, despite preparations being advanced several times in recent days, planned engagements were postponed at the last minute as both sides needed more time for internal consultations, sources said.
“Efforts are ongoing and there is still a willingness to explore diplomatic options,” one source noted, adding that the situation remains fluid given broader regional dynamics.
Pakistan actively positions itself as a neutral facilitator, offering its good offices to help bridge the communications gap between Washington and Tehran.
The move reflects Islamabad’s broader goal of easing tensions in the region, particularly following recent military escalations involving the United States and Israel.
The officials stressed that Washington and Tehran faced complex considerations, which contributed to delays in formalizing direct talks.
“These are sensitive engagements, and timing, sequencing and internal deliberations by all parties are critical,” one source said, noting that such backdoor diplomacy often involves multiple false starts before progress is made.
Before the latest escalation, Pakistan had also explored the possibility of direct engagement with Iran at the highest political level.
Sources said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, accompanied by senior military officials, was ready to visit Tehran for consultations with Iranian leaders.
This visit, however, did not take place due to changing security conditions and scheduling constraints at the time, highlighting the broader challenges facing diplomatic relations in an unstable environment.
Behind-the-scenes efforts have also intersected with broader regional diplomacy. At a meeting of foreign ministers from several Muslim countries in Riyadh on March 19, the situation involving Iran featured prominently in discussions.
Sources said there had been extensive deliberations over the language of a joint statement, with some participants calling for more balanced wording that takes into account the broader context of the crisis. The final declaration, they added, reflects some consensus after consultations among key stakeholders.
Pakistan’s diplomatic approach has always focused on de-escalation and maintaining a careful balance, avoiding positions that could further inflame tensions while encouraging dialogue between relevant parties.
Despite the difficulties encountered in organizing a first meeting, sources stressed that diplomatic channels remained open and efforts to facilitate dialogue had not been abandoned.
“Such initiatives take time, especially in the current circumstances,” an official said. “What’s important is that the engagement continues.”
The failure of the negotiations highlights both the potential and the difficulties inherent in quiet diplomacy, as regional and international actors operate in a complex and rapidly changing security landscape.
