By Agha Iqrar Haroon
There are reports in the media, released by the US news agency Reuters, that Pakistan is once again trying to broker a ceasefire between the United States and Iran.
According to media reports, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir is in constant contact with the highest leadership of both countries. Meanwhile, an Iranian diplomat, Mojtaba Ferdousi Pour, head of the Iranian mission in Cairo, told The Associated Press (AP) on Monday that Iran would only accept an end to the war with guarantees that it would not be attacked again. He said there are intensive efforts from regional powers, but all proposals on the table center on a ceasefire “without guarantees that the American-Zionist enemy will respect its commitments.”
It is clear that Iran seeks an end to the war, guarantees against future attacks, and compensation for the destruction and damage caused by US and Israeli strikes and does not want to waste time in any talks less than Iranian agenda mentioned above.
Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, there are news that Iranian and Omani officials are working on a mechanism for administering the crucial chokepoint.
It is worth mentioning that on Monday, Iran rejected reports about ceasefire talks. Speaking at a weekly press conference on April 6, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei dismissed claims in foreign media regarding a proposal for a ceasefire in the US-Israeli military campaign and Iran’s response to it. While responding to questions about these reports, he stated that such claims about ceasefire developments often merely serve to create pauses for the strengthening of forces in preparation for further aggression. He argued that Iran’s demands must be respected, alongside avoiding cycles of ceasefire and renewed conflict.
In these circumstances, the question arises: why is Pakistan pushing for a US–Iran ceasefire? This issue is being widely discussed among journalists and academics conversant with foreign affairs and international relations.
Official circles in Islamabad are of the view that Pakistan is trying its best to mitigate what it perceives as Israeli efforts to pit Muslim countries against each other and destabilize not only Iran but the wider region. Therefore, Pakistan’s military and civilian leadership is striving to preserve regional stability and maintain solidarity among Gulf countries and Iran.
These circles also argue that Pakistan has traditionally sought to position itself as a peacemaker, a stabilizer, and a mediator in regional crises, especially those involving Muslim countries or conflicts affecting its neighborhood. There are several practical reasons for this approach.
They believe that any escalation between the US and Iran could destabilize the Gulf, directly impacting Pakistan’s security environment. Millions of Pakistani workers live in Gulf countries, and instability threatens remittances. It is also pertinent to note that Pakistan relies heavily on oil imports routed through the Gulf, and continued conflict risks supply disruptions and price spikes.
Moreover, Pakistan maintains relations with Gulf countries, the United States, and Iran; therefore, offering mediation enhances its diplomatic relevance. Even if Iran has previously rejected such proposals, Pakistan continues its efforts to remain diplomatically engaged. However, Iran seeks formal guarantees, often involving international mechanisms that Pakistan cannot provide, and it has very low trust in the United States and its allies in the Middle East.
Pakistan understands that Iran seeks a comprehensive settlement and may attempt to leverage its position over the Strait of Hormuz to extract concessions from the United States. While Iran has historically threatened to close the Strait during periods of high tension, it is also aware that doing so could trigger a major international military response and harm its own oil exports, as well as those of its allies such as China. Pakistan’s position on the Strait of Hormuz is based on supporting freedom of navigation and avoiding disruption to global oil flows. Thus, Pakistan is not “demanding” that Iran open the Strait but rather advocating that it remains open and secure.
The majority of retired diplomats appreciate Pakistan’s policy of pursuing peace in the region and continuing to push for a ceasefire despite Iran’s repeated rejection and ongoing US and Israeli strikes on Iranian civilians and infrastructure. They argue that Pakistan is demonstrating consistency in its foreign policy messaging, signaling to global partners—including the US, Gulf states, and China—that it is committed to de-escalation in the region. They support Pakistan’s efforts to facilitate negotiations between Washington and Tehran at a time when global stakeholders such as China, Russia, the EU, and the OIC appear to be standing aside rather than actively engaging in mediation.
