Pakistan Emerges as Hub for US-Iran Peace Talks

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan has positioned itself as a primary mediator in the escalating conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran. In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, Islamabad has been proposed as the venue for high-level talks between Trump administration officials and Iranian representatives, potentially as early as this week.

The move follows a strategic phone call between Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir and President Donald Trump, alongside separate discussions between PM Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Key Developments:

• Summit in Islamabad: Envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff (and potentially VP JD Vance) are rumored to be heading to the Pakistani capital for sensitive discussions.
• Trump’s Reprieve: The U.S. President has delayed his threat to "obliterate" Iran’s power plants for five days, citing "productive" back-channel messaging facilitated by Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt.
• Neutral Ground: Pakistan’s unique status—hosting no U.S. bases while maintaining a mutual defense pact with Saudi Arabia and a large Shia population—has made it a "vital conduit" for de-escalation.

While Tehran officially denies direct negotiations, regional officials confirm that Islamabad is now a critical bridge for relaying terms to end the four-week-old war.