Trump said Monday that Iran was seeking talks with the United States and that they had been scheduled, without specifying the time or place. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
Iranian-American academic and political scientist Vali Nasr says the ongoing war between Iran and the US is not about military superiority but about endurance, stressing that Pakistan has played a crucial role in facilitating negotiations and de-escalating the situation.
Speaking on Express24/7’s program “Full Frame” with senior anchor Fahd Husain, Nasr laid out the anatomy of a crisis driven as much by timing as power. “This is not about who has bigger bombs,” he said. “It’s about who has more endurance and pain tolerance.”
At a moment when the Middle East is on the brink of escalation, even as diplomacy moves toward a possible breakthrough, Pakistan has emerged at the center of global attention.
Nasr highlighted that Pakistan has played a key role in maintaining dialogue, building trust with Tehran and coordinating with regional powers. He said the country’s involvement has turned the crisis into a defining moment for Islamabad’s diplomatic standing.
“The Pakistanis played a very important role in keeping it going,” he noted. “There is no other game in town but Islamabad,” he added, explaining that Pakistan’s strength lies in its neutrality.
Nasr described the Islamabad talks as an unprecedented moment in Pakistan’s recent history. “Two or three years ago, we would never have predicted that Pakistan would have this kind of influence,” he said.
Reflecting on the latest round of negotiations, Nasr emphasized that the 21-hour discussions marked the most significant direct engagement between the United States and Iran. “The importance of this cannot be overstated,” he added.
Despite progress on the diplomatic front, the situation on the ground remains uncertain. The ceasefire window is narrow and military pressure continues to build as Donald Trump has ordered a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
However, Nasr offered a more strategic reading of the scenario, suggesting that the blockade of the central waterway responsible for 20% of global oil flow may not be mere escalation but a form of leverage.
Nasr is a professor of international affairs and Middle East studies at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Washington. The full interview will be broadcast again on Wednesday at 9.00, 12.00, 15.00 and 18.00 on Express24/7.
