Pakistan is likely to host talks between the United States and Iran later this week, according to a claim by US journalist and South Asia analyst Michael Kugelman, as Islamabad steps up efforts to position itself as a mediator in rising regional tensions.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Kugelman said Pakistan has recently been pitching itself as a mediator, noting that Washington had previously praised Islamabad’s willingness to play a role in facilitating dialogue between the US and Iran.
The development comes amid broader diplomatic moves by Pakistan to expand its role beyond South Asia and engage in Middle East crisis management. Analysts viewed that Islamabad’s relatively balanced ties with both Washington and Tehran make it a potential intermediary in sensitive negotiations.
Pakistan has already been seeking to elevate its diplomatic profile in ongoing geopolitical tensions, with recent reports indicating that it is attempting to position itself as a key mediator in wider regional conflicts involving the US, Iran and its allies.
If confirmed, hosting such talks would mark a significant step in Pakistan’s bid to act as a bridge between rival powers and reinforce its image as a facilitator of dialogue in an increasingly volatile region.
On the other hand, Israeli media have claimed that a key meeting between senior US and Iranian officials could take place in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, this weekend.
A British news agency reported that a journalist associated with an American media outlet claimed on the social media platform X, citing Israeli officials, that Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, along with other Iranian officials, may participate in the proposed talks. On the US side, the delegation could reportedly include Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and US Vice President JD Vance.
The journalist further stated in the X post that officials from Turkey, Pakistan, and Egypt are helping facilitate communication between the United States and Iran in an effort to reduce tensions.
Read more: Pakistan try to make mediation between US and Iran: Reuters claims
