Pakistan is positioning itself as a key intermediary to reduce tensions between the United States and Iran, the Financial Times reports. The paper says Army Chief Asim Munir recently met with former US president Donald Trump as Islamabad steps up diplomatic efforts to help resolve the wider conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran.
According to officials cited by the FT, Pakistan hosted talks this week that brought together senior figures associated with the Trump administration and Iranian representatives. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has also engaged directly, exchanging messages with Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, as part of the outreach.
The report says Pakistan is coordinating with Turkey and Egypt in active back-channel diplomacy aimed at narrowing gaps between Washington and Tehran. Participants in the exchanges reportedly include US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, with senior Pakistani officials helping to facilitate indirect communications involving key US figures, including Jared Kushner.
Iran has denied conducting direct negotiations with the US since the conflict began but acknowledged receiving and replying to messages relayed through third countries. Observers quoted by the FT say Pakistan’s declared neutrality—no US bases on its soil and a policy of avoiding direct military involvement—has enhanced its credibility as a potential mediator.
The White House declined to provide details on the talks, saying sensitive diplomatic discussions would not be handled “through the news media,” the FT reported.
