Pakistan Offers to Host US-Iran Talks to End Middle East Conflict

Pakistan is prepared to host negotiations between the United States and Iran, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated Tuesday, as international efforts to de-escalate the month-long conflict gain momentum. Sharif announced on X, formerly Twitter, that Pakistan “stands ready and honoured to be the host to facilitate meaningful and conclusive talks for a comprehensive settlement of the ongoing conflict,” contingent upon agreement from both Washington and Tehran. The offer comes amid a flurry of diplomatic activity, including a call Sunday between Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, and U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss the conflict, and a subsequent conversation Monday between Sharif and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, where both leaders “agreed on the urgent demand for de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy,” according to Pakistani officials. While neither side has formally agreed to talks, sources indicate Islamabad is Tehran’s preferred location, despite potential venues also being considered in Qatar, Turkey, and Egypt. The possibility of negotiations occurring as early as this week has been discussed, with potential representatives beginning to be identified. According to sources familiar with the discussions, the U.S. Is considering Vice President JD Vance as a potential chief negotiator. However, Iranian officials have reportedly ruled out engaging with Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, or Jared Kushner, who led previous nuclear negotiations with Iran before the outbreak of hostilities. Iranian sources indicated a deep distrust stemming from what they perceive as a deceptive strategy employed by the Trump administration during those earlier talks, alleging they were used as a smokescreen for planned military action. “With the previous negotiating team, there’s no chance,” one diplomatic source stated. “The Iranian side regards the request for negotiations as another round of deception for the US-Israeli regime to find out a loophole to aggravate the strikes again.” The source suggested Vance would be a more acceptable interlocutor, noting his perceived skepticism towards the current conflict and relative silence on the matter. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of the Iranian parliament, is considered the most likely candidate to lead negotiations for Iran, though he has dismissed reports of talks as “fake news.” Trump, meanwhile, signaled a potential willingness to halt U.S. Strikes, claiming “very, very strong talks” were underway between Iranian officials and Witkoff and Kushner. He announced a five-day extension to a previous ultimatum demanding Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which remains blockaded by Iranian forces. Trump’s announcement led to a sharp decline in oil prices, falling below $100 a barrel, the lowest level in days. The White House declined to comment directly on the reports of potential peace talks in Islamabad, stating only that “These are sensitive diplomatic discussions and the United States will not negotiate through the news media.” Pakistan’s willingness to mediate comes as the country faces economic fallout from the conflict, particularly due to disruptions in oil and gas supplies through the Strait of Hormuz. The nation also shares a close relationship with Gulf countries impacted by Iran’s retaliatory strikes and recently signed a defense pact with Saudi Arabia. Pakistan also has the second-largest Shia Muslim population after Iran.