From bridge to bloc

Fresh off its role as mediator between Washington and Tehran, Pakistan eyes a bold mission to unite Iran, Saudi Arabia and Turkey within an Islamic Nato

- BY HAMID MIR/Islamabad

WARM VIBES Pakistan army chief Asim Munir (left) welcomes US Vice President J.D. Vance as he arrives in Islamabad for talks with Iran

How did Pakistan emerge as the trusted mediator in a conflict between Iran and the US? For decades, Pakistan's enemies portrayed it as a troublemaker. Pakistan became a nuclear power in 1998, like India, but the country was also linked to terrorist groups after Osama bin Laden was found in Pakistan. It was Donald Trump who angrily accused Pakistan of “lies and deceit” in January 2018.

However, the same Trump is now praising Pakistan for playing the role of peacemaker. Pakistan not only organised the first-ever high-level direct contact between Washington and Tehran in the last five decades, but also managed a ceasefire in Lebanon despite having no formal diplomatic relations with Israel. How did Pakistan win over the US? How did Pakistan gain the trust of Iran, which carried out missile and drone attacks against Pakistan in 2024?

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar dismissed Pakistan's mediation role by referring to Pakistan as a “dalaal” (broker). Jaishankar forgot that Trump had started praising this “dalaal” long before the US attack on Iran. Jaishankar must also be aware that more surprises may after a US-Iran deal. There are stories within stories, revolving not only around Pakistan but around several other players that could emerge as new strategic partners of this “dalaal”. One such surprise may come after Trump's visit to China. A new strategic alliance involving Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia could begin to take shape.