Fence-mending move

Four-nation talks show promise, but ceasefire hopes hinge on trust, diplomacy, wider stakeholder consensus

The quadruple talks involving the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Egypt and Pakistan were a step in the right direction. The intention on the part of Islamabad was to iron out a factual position that could subsequently lead to parleys among the major stakeholders in the conflict, i.e. Iran and the US.

The dynamic diplomatic canvas that Pakistan drew is now globally appreciated, and the good point is that Tehran and Washington are on board in terms of laying the groundwork for a plausible deal.

The talks, nonetheless, could not inch towards a formal mechanism for an earnestly desired ceasefire. The consensus, however, among warring sides, including the sole superpower, the Islamic Republic and the Gulf States, to let diplomacy give a chance is laudable.

It is hoped that sooner than later, the laborious work will see the light of day, as there is much more than what needs to be put in the right perspective before guns are silenced.

The talks took place against the backdrop of two positive developments. One, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reportedly spoke for an hour with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, wherein they "focused on de-escalation". Pezeshkian, however, stressed building "trust" before any headway could be made, and this is where the four-nation talks were realised.

Two, President Trump too has put his weight behind Islamabad's goodwill, hoping to solicit a deal in adverse circumstances, as the misadventure on the part of the US-Israel combine has backfired, and the war is going wayward. Moreover, the Gulf states, too, have repositioned themselves and are eager for a thaw.

The conflict and the subsequent devastation have cost the global economy dear. In particular, the closure of the Straits of Hormuz is quite troubling, having sent oil prices sky high.

Thus, the brainstorming from the four nations, which are considered close to the US camp, has obvious connotations for peace and could be a game-changer. Pakistan, acting as an honest broker, is now sharing the notes with China and Iran, and it is hoped it must lead to cessation of hostilities.