New Delhi, March 27: Pakistan has unexpectedly stepped forward as a mediator in the escalating US-Iran conflict, leveraging its diplomatic ties. However, its ongoing war with Afghanistan remains unresolved despite various mediation attempts by other regional players.
Reports indicate that Pakistan is striving to facilitate dialogue between the US and Iran to prevent a larger regional war. Following positive indirect diplomacy involving Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt, US President Donald Trump announced a five-day limited halt on attacks against Iran’s energy infrastructure. This move positions Islamabad as a significant mediator, offering to host direct talks between senior officials from both nations.
Pakistan’s Army Chief, Asim Munir, is capitalizing on improving relations with the White House and longstanding ties with regional powers like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Turkey to advance this initiative. Islamabad’s urgency stems from a need to enhance its global significance and gain economic benefits amid Middle Eastern instability.
Despite its ongoing conflict with Afghanistan, Pakistan’s desire to mediate in the US-Iran war arises from strategic, economic, and reputational necessities. This initiative allows Islamabad to present itself as a responsible global player amid domestic and regional crises.
General Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have positioned Islamabad as a neutral platform, gaining the approval of President Trump, to re-establish Pakistan’s importance following tensions with India, Iran, and now Afghanistan.
Pakistan is attempting to portray itself as a ‘necessary’ state, even though it has yet to confirm direct contact between the US and Iran. Meanwhile, Pakistan has declared an ‘open war’ against Kabul, conducting airstrikes on several Afghan cities, resulting in hundreds of casualties. A recent bombing at a drug rehabilitation center in Kabul claimed over 400 lives. This conflict is linked to the disputed Durand Line border, which Afghanistan rejects as a colonial division of Pashtun land.
Pakistan accuses the Taliban of failing to uphold promises made in Doha in 2021, which included preventing terrorist groups from using Afghan territory. This has led to retaliatory airstrikes against alleged militant structures.
A ceasefire mediated by Qatar and Turkey in October followed a minor skirmish in 2025 that resulted in 17 civilian deaths, but fighting resumed shortly after. The rift in Afghanistan-Pakistan relations has deepened due to distrust and sovereignty claims, leading to weeks of conflict with hundreds of fatalities. Thus, Pakistan’s role as a mediator in the Iran war, despite its tensions with Afghanistan, reflects desperate diplomacy.
Defense expert and author Brahma Chellaney noted on Facebook, “Asim Munir, whom President Trump called his ‘favorite field marshal,’ recently bombed Afghanistan’s largest drug rehabilitation hospital, killing hundreds.” The bombing in Kabul has tarnished Islamabad’s image. In this context, Pakistan is striving to improve its reputation and assert its relevance through high-level mediation between the US and Iran.
He reminded, “Under Munir’s military leadership, Pakistan conducted a high-profile strike against Iran in January 2024.” Now, while Islamabad is rejecting third-party solutions for its border issues, it is presenting itself as a neutral ground for US-Iran discussions. Successful mediation could provide Pakistan with much-needed aid, trade deals, and relief from sanctions, crucial amid internal crises and terrorist funding concerns linked to its FATF gray-listing. Pakistan is currently grappling with separatist forces, political turmoil, and economic distress.
Experts warn, “Revealing Trump’s 15-point plan could undermine Munir’s credibility with Tehran.” Regionally, security threats are rising for Pakistan, while energy shocks from Iran pose risks to Islamabad’s economy. Success in Iran could bolster Pakistan against Kabul, but failure could isolate it further.
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