Pakistan Emerges as Broker Between Iran and US in Stalled Diplomatic Thaw

Pakistan has positioned itself as the critical intermediary in US-Iran talks. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif secured Iran's commitment to negotiations in April, then transmitted a revised Iranian peace proposal to Washington via Interior Minister Naqvi in May. Pezeshkian's June 23 Islamabad visit—two days after constructive Switzerland talks—reinforces Sharif's role as essential backchannel, granting his government leverage with both Tehran and Washington at a moment when Pakistan's economy requires foreign-policy dividends.