Smoke rises over Azadi Square after an attack amid the US-Israel conflict with Iran in Tehran on April 6. Photo: Reuters
Efforts to facilitate talks between the US and Iran are underway, two Pakistani sources with knowledge of the discussions said. Reuters on Tuesday, as US attacks on Iran intensified and President Donald Trump’s deadline to unleash “hell” approached.
However, one of the sources, a senior security official, said Iran’s overnight attack on Saudi Arabia’s industrial facilities linked to US firms threatened to derail the talks. If Saudi Arabia were to retaliate, the talks would be over, the source said, adding that it could drag Pakistan into the conflict under its defense pact with Riyadh, which binds both nations to fight for each other in the event of a war.
The second source familiar with the talks said Iran was “walking on thin ice” and that the next three to four hours were critical for the future of the dialogue.
Pakistan has been the main go-between for proposals shared by both sides, but there has been no sign of a compromise.
“We are in contact with the Iranians. They have recently shown flexibility that they could participate in the negotiations, but at the same time they are taking hard lines as a prerequisite for any negotiations,” the Pakistani security source said. He added that Islamabad persuaded Tehran to start talks without preconditions.
Read: Army brass condemns Iran attack on Saudi facilities as ‘unnecessary escalation’ that undermines mediation efforts
Meanwhile, Iran’s ambassador in Islamabad said Pakistan’s easing of talks with the US to end the war in the Middle East is “approaching a critical, sensitive stage”.
Pakistan’s positive and productive efforts in Good Will and Good Office to stop the war are approaching a critical, sensitive phase…
Stay tuned for more
— Reza Amiri Moghadam (@IranAmbPak) 7 April 2026
Reza Amiri Moghadam’s remarks come as Iran sent a proposal on Monday outlining its position on ending the war, rejecting a temporary ceasefire and instead calling for a permanent solution.
Iran conveyed its response to a US proposal through Pakistan after two weeks of high-level deliberations.
Later, US President Donald Trump described Iran’s response as a “significant step”, although it still falls short.
“It’s not good enough, but it’s a very important step,” Trump told reporters at the White House.
Pakistan still hopes for a “positive response” from Iran despite Tehran’s “insistence on preconditions” before Trump’s deadline on the Strait of Hormuz hours from now, a senior government official said Anatolia today.
“The situation has become extremely complex and sensitive as the next few hours are very crucial. We still hope that we will get a positive response from Tehran,” the official said on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.
Trump threatened on Tuesday that “an entire civilization will die tonight” as his deadline to reach a cease-fire deal with Iran expires within hours, at 10 p.m. 8:00 PM ET (0000 GMT Wednesday).
Pakistan has positioned itself to mediate between the US and Iran by leveraging its good relations with both Washington and Tehran and strategic and defense partnerships with China and Saudi Arabia.
Islamabad’s proposal, according to Pakistani sources, includes an immediate ceasefire and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz within two to three weeks to conclude a broader settlement and subsequent in-person talks in Islamabad.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman said a day ago that messages were still being exchanged between Iran and the United States through intermediaries. A senior Iranian source said Tehran had rejected a proposal for a temporary ceasefire, with talks dependent on an end to US-Israeli attacks and compensation for damages.
The State Department said today that the attacks on Saudi Arabia constituted a dangerous escalation.
“Such unwarranted abuses have serious implications for spoiling the ongoing peaceful opportunities and enabling environment,” a military statement added after the top commanders met the army chief.
Pakistan wants to avoid being drawn into the war, which could wreak havoc along its shared western border with Iran.
Analysts say the defense deal may not trigger immediate military action but could be activated if the conflict escalates.
Iran’s willingness to risk embarrassing Pakistan at a time when “it is critical to broker a ceasefire reveals how committed Tehran is to a strategy that punishes the Gulf for US and Israeli attacks,” said Adam Weinstein, an expert on Pakistan, Afghanistan and US policy at the Quincy Institute.
