Shehbaz Says Pakistan’s Image Changed Through Iran-US Mediation
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said Pakistan’s international standing has changed significantly because of Islamabad’s role in mediating between Iran and the United States. His remarks were reported on Sunday after he discussed Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts following the conflict that began with coordinated US-Israeli strikes on Iran earlier this year.
The prime minister described Pakistan’s role as a major diplomatic moment, saying the country had acted as an honest facilitator trusted by key players. He said Islamabad remained hopeful that another round of direct negotiations between Tehran and Washington could take place in Pakistan.
According to the premier, Pakistan is still working to ensure that the temporary calm moves toward a durable and long-term peace arrangement. He stressed that diplomacy requires patience, judgment and persistence, especially when the parties involved remain divided over sensitive political, security and nuclear issues.
PM Shehbaz said both Iran and the United States had shown confidence in Pakistan’s mediation role, while Gulf states also viewed Islamabad’s efforts positively. He expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian for accepting Pakistan’s invitation to hold talks.
The prime minister also credited Pakistan’s civil and military leadership for the progress made so far. He praised Field Marshal Asim Munir for what he called a critical role in the process and said Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had remained actively engaged with his counterparts to keep diplomatic channels open.
Pakistan’s mediation efforts began after regional hostilities disrupted energy markets and raised fears of a wider Middle East conflict. Islamabad helped facilitate a ceasefire in April and later hosted direct US-Iran discussions, though those talks ended without a permanent settlement.
The issue remains strategically important for Pakistan because any renewed instability in the Gulf could affect oil supplies, shipping routes, remittances, investor confidence and domestic inflation. Islamabad’s position as a mediator therefore carries both diplomatic value and direct economic relevance.
The premier also linked Pakistan’s broader security posture to regional stability, saying Islamabad had repeatedly sent peaceful messages to Afghanistan before taking action against militant hideouts. He said Pakistan’s demand from Kabul remained clear: Afghan soil should not be used by groups targeting Pakistan.
The next major test for Pakistan’s diplomacy will be whether it can help bring Iran and the United States back to the negotiating table. Islamabad is expected to continue passing messages between the two sides, but any breakthrough will depend on whether Tehran and Washington are prepared to make serious compromises.