Pakistan, Qatar Mediation Advances US-Iran Peace Talks
Pakistani and Qatari mediation efforts produced fresh movement in indirect talks between the United States and Iran in Doha on Thursday, with Islamabad confirming that separate meetings had been held with negotiators from both sides. The development places Pakistan at the centre of a sensitive diplomatic process aimed at preventing renewed escalation in the Gulf and keeping alive a fragile framework for peace.
According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, the Doha discussions focused on matters linked to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, a preliminary arrangement that had earlier created a pathway for de-escalation after months of conflict. The talks followed a previous round in Switzerland and were described by mediators as a step forward, although no final settlement was announced.
The discussions reportedly dealt with practical and technical issues, including maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and the possible use of frozen Iranian assets. These points are central to regional stability because the Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy routes, while access to frozen funds remains a key economic demand for Tehran.
The Foreign Office said the parties had agreed to continue engagement in the coming period, with another meeting expected after the funeral proceedings of Iran’s former supreme leader. Qatari officials issued a similar message, indicating that Doha and Islamabad are coordinating closely as mediators rather than acting separately.
Officials and diplomatic sources indicated that the nuclear question, despite remaining the largest strategic concern for Washington, was not the main subject of the latest technical round. US President Donald Trump said progress was being made on limiting Iran’s nuclear programme, while US Vice President JD Vance suggested that nuclear matters would be taken up in later discussions.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi also signalled movement after the meetings, saying a communication channel would be created to record and report any violations of the memorandum. He added that Tehran expected to use part of its frozen money in Qatar to purchase essential goods, a step Iran sees as important after months of pressure and disruption.
The broader agreement being discussed stems from a Pakistan- and Qatar-backed diplomatic initiative that followed a major US-Israel confrontation with Iran. The framework reportedly includes a temporary ceasefire, reopening of the blocked Strait of Hormuz and a timetable for further negotiations that could lead to a more durable settlement.
For Pakistan, the process carries significant diplomatic value. Islamabad has repeatedly argued that regional crises should be resolved through negotiation rather than confrontation, and its role in these talks allows it to present itself as a stabilising actor in a region where conflict can directly affect energy prices, trade routes and the security of Pakistani citizens working abroad.
The impact on Pakistan could be substantial if the talks continue to move forward. Reduced tension in the Gulf may help protect remittance flows, support energy market stability and improve the wider security environment for South Asia and the Middle East. A breakdown, however, could raise oil prices, disrupt shipping and deepen diplomatic uncertainty.
The next stage will depend on whether Washington and Tehran can move from technical arrangements to political commitments. Mediators are expected to keep channels open in the coming days, but the durability of the process will rest on compliance with the memorandum, agreement on frozen assets and eventual progress on the nuclear file.