Iran-US 'breakthrough' talks narrowly missed in Islamabad

Pakistan’s quiet but significant diplomatic effort to mediate between the United States and Iran appears to have narrowly missed a breakthrough — twice.

According to a senior government official familiar with the backchannel diplomacy, a high-level US delegation led by Vice President JD Vance was prepared on two separate occasions in recent days to travel to Islamabad for direct talks with Iranian officials.

However, both attempts fell through at the last minute after Tehran requested more time for internal consultations and ultimately decided against participating.

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“The US delegation, led by their vice president, was ready to depart for Islamabad in the last few days,” the official revealed. “We were very close ... twice within the last ten days, to hosting a critical meeting. Unfortunately, on both occasions, Iran reconsidered and did not send its team.”

Pakistan has been actively positioning itself as a neutral facilitator amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran, offering Islamabad as a venue for dialogue.

The initiative reflects Islamabad’s broader effort to de-escalate regional tensions, particularly in the wake of heightened hostilities following US and Israeli strikes against Iranian targets.

The official noted that while the US had shown readiness to engage, Iran appeared more cautious, weighing the risks of entering talks under current circumstances. “Let me say, we were a bit disappointed with the Iranian response,” the official admitted.

“Their concerns regarding the United States are understandable, given the recent developments, but diplomacy should always be given a chance, especially at such a critical juncture.”

In a revealing disclosure, the official also shared that before the recent escalation, Pakistan had explored direct engagement with Iran at the highest level. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, along with the country’s top military leadership, had been prepared to visit Tehran for talks with Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who had since been assassinated in the conflict.

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However, that planned visit never materialised. Iranian authorities, citing security concerns, conveyed that a meeting with the supreme leader would not be possible under the prevailing conditions, leading Pakistan to postpone the trip.

The official’s remarks provide rare insight into the intense behind-the-scenes diplomacy unfolding in the region — efforts that remain largely out of public view but carry significant implications for regional stability.

Pakistan’s role has not been limited to mediation alone. Its diplomatic posture, particularly its criticism of Israel’s actions, has not resonated positively with certain Gulf countries. This became evident during a key meeting held in Riyadh on March 19, where foreign ministers from 12 Muslim countries gathered to discuss the rapidly deteriorating regional situation.

According to the official, moments before the meeting began, Turkish and Pakistani foreign ministers were having a bilateral meeting, and Hakan Fidan's phone rang and on the other side was his Iranian counterpart. Later, Ishaq Dar also joined that call, during which Abbas Araghchi urged both countries to ensure that the joint statement from the meeting would not be one-sided or disproportionately critical of Iran.

Notably, this conversation took place amid heightened tensions, with sirens reportedly sounding across Riyadh due to fears of potential Iranian retaliatory strikes.

During the subsequent meeting, a draft statement was circulated that, according to Pakistani officials, largely blamed Iran for the escalation. Islamabad strongly objected to the language, arguing that it failed to address the root causes of the crisis, particularly Israel’s actions.

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“Pakistan insisted that any statement must be balanced and must not ignore the underlying issues,” the official said. After several hours of deliberations, Pakistan succeeded in securing key amendments to the draft, ensuring a more nuanced and less accusatory final statement.

However, Pakistan’s assertive stance did not sit well with all participants. Some countries were reportedly displeased with Islamabad’s position, viewing it as overly sympathetic to Iran.

In addition to its diplomatic interventions, Pakistan has also been cautious about military or security initiatives that could further escalate tensions. The official indicated that Islamabad opposed any proposal that might lead to the formation of a multinational task force in the Strait of Hormuz, a move seen by some as potentially provocative.

This cautious approach also explains Pakistan’s decision to skip a recent UK-hosted meeting aimed at discussing measures to restore normal maritime traffic through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. Islamabad politely declined the invitation, citing concerns that the proposed initiative might not align with its broader policy of de-escalation and neutrality.

Taken together, these developments underscore Pakistan’s delicate balancing act, seeking to play a constructive diplomatic role while avoiding entanglement in a rapidly intensifying conflict. While its mediation efforts have yet to yield tangible results, the near-miss in hosting US-Iran talks highlights both the potential and the challenges of backchannel diplomacy in one of the world’s most volatile regions.