Pakistan Brought US and Iran to Negotiating Table, Playing Diplomatic Role Major Powers Could Not: South Asian Voices
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan played a significant mediating role in reducing tensions between the United States and Iran by helping bring the two sides to the negotiating table, according to an analysis by South Asian Voices.
The policy platform, which focuses on the security, political and economic affairs of South Asia, said Pakistan established communication between Washington and Tehran at a time when relations between the two sides had reached a highly tense stage, with both parties suffering significant losses.
According to the analysis, Pakistan succeeded in mediating between a global power and a major regional power and played a diplomatic role that major countries including China, France, Germany, India and the United Kingdom were unable to perform.
High-Level Direct Contact
The analysis said talks between US and Iranian representatives in Islamabad continued for more than 20 hours, describing them as the highest-level direct contact between the two countries since 1979.
The extended negotiations were viewed as an important diplomatic development amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran.
Mediation Should Not Be Declared a Failure
According to South Asian Voices, although the United States and Iran accused each other of violating the ceasefire, neither side completely abandoned the negotiating process.
The analysis argued that it would therefore be incorrect to hold the mediator responsible for the failure of the talks.
It said Pakistan’s efforts demonstrated its growing diplomatic role in regional and international affairs and highlighted Islamabad’s ability to facilitate dialogue between countries involved in serious geopolitical disputes.
