Despite being involved in its own war against Afghanistan, Pakistan has become the unexpected locus of peace efforts between the United States and Iran. Al Jazeera reports:
Islamabad, Pakistan – Pakistan intends to continue to nudge the United States and Iran towards negotiations aimed at ending their war, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledges “obstacles” in its efforts.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi did not specify the roadblocks on the path to peace that he was referring to. But his comments, made during a weekly media briefing in Islamabad, came hours after US President Donald Trump threatened to bomb Iran “back to the Stone Ages” if it did not accept Washington’s terms for a peace deal.
Pakistan has been leading a multination effort to facilitate negotiations between the US and Iran.
“Despite challenges and obstacles, Pakistan will continue its efforts to promote facilitation and dialogue,” Andrabi said. He added that Islamabad was working to create conditions for “meaningful negotiations among relevant stakeholders”.
He said the US and Iran had confidence in Pakistan’s role as a neutral intermediary.
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