Israel has reportedly taken Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf off its strike list after Pakistan intervened, a Pakistani official revealed on Thursday. Initially, Israel had planned to target these Iranian officials, but Pakistan communicated to the United States that eliminating both would leave no Iranian representatives available for dialogue.
Following Pakistan’s appeal, Washington stepped in and requested Israel to halt the planned strikes. This development highlights Pakistan’s emerging role as a mediator in the escalating tensions between the US and Iran.
In a significant development earlier this week, US President Donald Trump acknowledged Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s offer to mediate talks between Washington and Tehran. Sharif expressed Islamabad’s readiness to host negotiations, emphasizing Pakistan’s support for ongoing dialogue efforts aimed at resolving the Middle East conflict. He described Pakistan’s role as facilitating meaningful and conclusive discussions to achieve a comprehensive settlement.
The Pakistani foreign office reaffirmed the country’s commitment to diplomatic solutions, noting that some engagements have been conducted discreetly. While Iran denies direct negotiations are taking place, US officials have suggested that indirect talks are ongoing amid rising military tensions. Trump’s public endorsement of Sharif’s mediation offer signals increasing recognition of Pakistan’s potential to help de-escalate the crisis.
Backchannel diplomacy reportedly includes a call between Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and Trump. However, the White House emphasized the sensitivity of these discussions and clarified that no formal negotiations have been scheduled. Analysts observe that Pakistan is carefully balancing its relationships with the US, Iran, and Gulf allies, positioning itself as a neutral intermediary while steering clear of direct involvement in the conflict.
