Pakistan Offers to Mediate US-Iran Talks Amidst Shifting Signals

March 25, 2026 Lucas Fernandez – World Editor World

Islamabad is offering to host talks between the United States and Iran, as diplomatic efforts intensify to de-escalate tensions following weeks of escalating conflict. The offer, made by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday, comes amid reports of behind-the-scenes messaging between Washington and Tehran, and a temporary pause in planned U.S. Strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure announced by President Donald Trump.

“Pakistan welcomes and fully supports ongoing efforts to pursue dialogue to end the WAR in Middle East, in the interest of peace and stability in region and beyond,” Sharif stated on X, formerly known as Twitter. He added that Pakistan “stands ready and honoured to be the host to facilitate meaningful and conclusive talks for a comprehensive settlement of the ongoing conflict,” tagging Trump, U.S. Special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in his post. Trump subsequently shared a screenshot of Sharif’s post on his Truth Social platform.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Tahir Andrabi, affirmed the country’s willingness to host discussions, stating that Islamabad has “consistently advocated for dialogue and diplomacy to promote peace and stability in the region.” The offer reflects Pakistan’s position as a country maintaining working relationships with both Iran and the United States, giving it a unique position to act as an intermediary.

However, Iran has publicly denied engaging in direct negotiations with the U.S., contradicting Trump’s claims. Multiple U.S. And Israeli media outlets have reported that Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey have been relaying messages between Washington and Tehran, hoping to find a way to de-escalate the conflict, which has significantly impacted global energy markets.

The potential for Pakistan to host talks gained further momentum with recent high-level communications. Pakistani Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir spoke with President Trump on March 23, and Sharif held a phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian the following day, both as part of a broader push for de-escalation.

U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is reportedly planning to travel to Pakistan in the coming days, according to sources, in the hope of holding in-person talks with Iranian representatives. This follows Trump’s announcement of a five-day pause in planned strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure, citing “productive conversations” regarding potential diplomacy.

The Pentagon is simultaneously preparing for a potential escalation, reportedly readying plans to deploy approximately 3,000 soldiers from the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East. This deployment underscores the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the diplomatic efforts.

Pakistan’s offer to mediate comes as it seeks to navigate a complex regional landscape, balancing its relationships with both Iran and the United States. The country has served as a diplomatic channel for Iran in Washington since 1992, hosting Iran’s interests section within the Pakistani embassy following the severing of direct U.S.-Iran diplomatic relations.