Pakistan has taken new steps to re-engage as a diplomatic bridge as tensions between the United States and Iran continue to escalate. Late Monday, the government announced that Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, had communicated directly with Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi. Dar conveyed an invitation for Araghchi to travel to Pakistan as soon as possible to continue discussions.
In a parallel development, Pakistan’s National Assembly Speaker, Ayaz Sadiq, reached out to Iran’s National Assembly Speaker and lead negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, according to government officials. The invitations highlight Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic efforts, though it is not yet known if or when the Iranian officials will agree to travel to Islamabad.
A fragile diplomatic thread
These overtures come as relations between Washington and Tehran grow increasingly strained. US President Donald Trump has publicly criticized Iran. He called their diplomatic approach 'unbelievably duplicitous.' On his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump claimed Iran had 'begged' for negotiations. But they quickly refused to follow through. He warned they now faced a 'last chance' to secure a deal. Or risk 'total surrender.'
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, denied these accusations. He asserted that no official talks with the US are currently in progress. Instead, he focused on discussions with Oman. The talks are about the Strait of Hormuz. This is a strategic waterway critical to global oil supply. He also confirmed that Pakistan continues to serve as the designated mediator in the US-Iran talks. Though he mentioned that Qatar remains available for 'assistance if necessary.'
A repeated pattern
Since the conflict began on February 28, Pakistan has consistently called for restraint. It has worked to facilitate dialogue between the two warring sides. In April, it hosted historic direct talks between the US and Iran. These were the first in decades. These discussions led to the creation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in June. It was signed by Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and US President Donald Trump also signed the MoU.
Despite this agreement, the conflict has continued to spiral. The April ceasefire collapsed almost immediately, prompting the US to impose a naval blockade on Iran’s southern ports. The MoU itself lasted only a few weeks before the two sides resumed hostilities, and the blockade was reinstated.
Despite these setbacks, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Tahir Andrabi, has consistently reiterated that the MoU remains the foundation for peace. Recently, Pezeshkian reaffirmed the document as the central pillar of Iran’s future diplomatic strategy, stating his commitment to ensuring the US honors the terms of the agreement.
A third party’s shadow
Asif Durrani, a former Pakistan ambassador to Iran, described the MoU as a 'foundational document,' emphasizing Pakistan’s sincere efforts in serving as a mediator between the two countries. Grace Wermenbol, a former US national security official and senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund, suggested the recurring failures point to a deeper issue. 'The persistent conflict has eroded the trust needed for a lasting ceasefire,' she explained.
Mehran Kamrava, a professor at Georgetown University in Qatar, argued the issue is not with Pakistan’s role. He said it is with the US’s approach. He pointed out that the US lacks a coherent strategy for ending the conflict. Often, the US shifts its objectives. 'The US has no clear exit plan and keeps moving the goalposts,' he said. Iran, he added, is focused on maintaining leverage over the Strait of Hormuz. But only in collaboration with Oman and with the backing of other Gulf Cooperation Council states.
Seyed Mojtaba Jalalzadeh, an analyst based in Tehran, warned that the repeated diplomatic breakdowns risk downgrading Pakistan’s role from a full mediator to a mere facilitator. While the access Pakistan provides remains vital, especially given the lack of direct channels between the US and Iran, the trust and goodwill that underpin its position are not guaranteed to last indefinitely.