Pakistan is seeking to position itself as a mediator between Iran and its adversaries, the United States and Israel, as conflict in the Middle East continues, according to a report by the Financial Times and statements from officials.
Islamabad has so far adopted a cautious diplomatic stance, condemning strikes on Iran while urging de-escalation. It has now offered to host potential talks between senior U.S. and Iranian officials as early as this week, the report said, citing sources familiar with the matter.
Pakistan’s army chief, General Asim Munir, spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday, according to officials. The call between Sharif and Pezeshkian coincided with Trump saying he would delay a previously stated threat to target Iran’s power infrastructure.
Trump said his decision followed “very good and productive” discussions with Tehran aimed at ending the conflict, a claim denied by Iran. Tehran acknowledged receiving messages via intermediary countries but said its core positions remained unchanged.
“Over the past few days, messages were received via certain friendly states conveying the U.S. request for negotiations to end the war,” foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei told state media, adding that Iran had responded in line with its principles.
Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said no direct negotiations had taken place with Washington and accused the United States and Israel of spreading misinformation.
The Financial Times reported that Pakistani officials had been involved in back-channel communications between Tehran and envoys linked to Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Pakistan’s foreign minister Ishaq Dar has also told regional counterparts that Islamabad was facilitating contacts, though he provided no details.
A European official told Reuters that while there had been no direct U.S.-Iran negotiations, countries including Pakistan, Egypt and several Gulf states were relaying messages between the two sides.
Turkey has also been engaged in mediation efforts, holding discussions with Iranian officials and U.S. representatives in a bid to secure a temporary ceasefire and open the way for negotiations.
The White House declined to comment on the details of any diplomatic contacts. “These are sensitive diplomatic discussions and the United States will not negotiate through the news media,” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
Analysts cautioned that prospects for a breakthrough remain limited as the conflict enters its fourth week. Diplomats said current efforts were at an early stage and focused on indirect messaging rather than formal negotiations.
Sanam Vakil of Chatham House said multiple countries were attempting to de-escalate tensions but saw no clear indication that the conflict was nearing an end.
Iran has warned it would retaliate against any attack on its energy infrastructure by targeting key facilities across the region, raising concerns among Gulf states.
Mediation between Washington and Tehran has traditionally been led by Oman and Qatar, though there has been little momentum in diplomatic efforts since the outbreak of hostilities, which followed earlier talks between U.S. and Iranian officials in Geneva.