Why the US turned to Pakistan to help bring Iran to the negotiating table? Check the strategy here

Washington (The Uttam Hindu): In international politics, not only formal negotiations but also behind-the-scenes "quiet diplomacy" plays a crucial role in shaping major decisions. This is exactly what happened to defuse tensions with Iran. The US used Pakistan as a key back-channel in its efforts to secure a temporary ceasefire with Iran. According to a report in the London-based Financial Times, the White House conveyed its views to Tehran through Islamabad rather than through direct negotiations.

The US used Pakistan as a "messenger" to convey its terms and proposals to Iran. The strategy behind this was likely that a message sent through a Muslim-majority neighbor would be more acceptable to Iran, although this entire development has also raised questions about Pakistan's diplomatic independence.

A highly secretive diplomatic game that lasted for several weeks is now coming to light. According to reports, the Trump administration tasked Pakistan with persuading Iran to agree to a ceasefire, and Islamabad served as a key "back-channel" in this exercise. The US wanted Iran to agree to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and stop the fighting. To this end, Pakistan's status as a Muslim-majority neighbor was used as a strategic advantage to make the US proposal more acceptable to Tehran.

Pakistan's Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, led the entire effort. He maintained constant contact with the top US leadership. As the deadline approached, Munir spoke directly with President Donald Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. Meanwhile, Pakistani officials exchanged proposals between Washington and Tehran.

According to sources, Pakistan delivered a 15-point plan prepared by the US to Iran, while Tehran also submitted counter-proposals of five and ten points to the US. Following persistent back-channel negotiations, Iran appeared willing to make limited concessions on some aspects of its nuclear program.

Ultimately, these diplomatic efforts resulted in a two-week ceasefire announced by the United States, Iran, and Israel, although Trump's public rhetoric remained harsh and he warned that Iran could face serious consequences if it did not comply with the terms.

According to another report, Pakistan's public stance has largely aligned with the US. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif's social media post appealing to Trump to extend the deadline was released only after White House approval.

The report said the post came as Trump's deadline neared and Pakistan was trying to create an "exit path" for both sides. This suggests that behind-the-scenes diplomatic coordination was much deeper, while public rhetoric continued in a different tone.