Iran-US ‘breakthrough talks’ narrowly missed

Pakistan’s quiet but significant diplomatic efforts to mediate between the US and Iran appear to have 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 not to participate.

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“The US delegation, led by their Vice President, was ready to travel to Islamabad in the last few days,” the official revealed. “We came very close… twice in the last ten days to hosting a critical meeting. Unfortunately, on both occasions Iran reconsidered and did not send its team.”

Pakistan has actively positioned 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 efforts 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 United States had shown readiness to engage, Iran appeared more cautious, weighing the risks of entering into negotiations under the 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 in light of recent developments, but diplomacy should always be given a chance, especially at such a critical time.”

In a revealing revelation, the official also shared that before the latest escalation, Pakistan had been exploring 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 to speak with Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who had since been assassinated in the conflict.

However, the planned visit never materialized. Iranian authorities, citing security concerns, conveyed that a meeting with the Supreme Leader would not be possible under the prevailing conditions, prompting Pakistan to postpone the trip.

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

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

According to the official, Turkish and Pakistani foreign ministers were having a bilateral meeting moments before the meeting began and Hakan Fidan’s phone rang and on the other side was his Iranian counterpart. Later, Ishaq Dar also joined the call, with Abbas Argachi urging 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 over Riyadh due to fears of potential Iranian retaliatory strikes.

During the ensuing meeting, a draft statement was circulated which, 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.

“Pakistan insisted that any statement must be balanced and must not ignore the underlying issues,” the official said. After several hours of deliberation, Pakistan managed to secure key changes to the draft, ensuring a more nuanced and less accusatory final statement.

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

In addition to its diplomatic interventions, Pakistan has also been wary of military or security initiatives that could further escalate tensions. The official stated that Islamabad opposed any proposal that could 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 meeting held in Britain to discuss 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 be inconsistent with its broader policy of de-escalation and neutrality.

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