As Islamabad prepares to host crucial talks between the U.S. and Iran this Sunday, hopes for a sustained peace remain fragile, with fresh Israeli strikes in Lebanon casting doubt over already delicate negotiations.
The meeting follows a two-week ceasefire brokered by Pakistan earlier this week, marking a rare diplomatic breakthrough after more than a month of conflict that has claimed thousands of lives across the Middle East.
Yet the timing is far from ideal. Fresh Israeli strikes in Lebanon have added a layer of uncertainty, threatening to derail already delicate negotiations.
Speaking to AnewZ, Qaiser Nawab, Chairman of BRISD (Belt and Road Initiative for Sustainable Development), warned that the renewed violence could cast a shadow over the talks. He described the developments as “a very significant challenge”, noting that such incidents risk undermining weeks of careful diplomatic engagement led by Pakistani authorities.
Despite the tensions, Nawab urged caution in predicting outcomes. He highlighted the imbalance between the two negotiating sides, describing the U.S. as a global superpower, while emphasising Iran’s resilience demonstrated during the conflict.
“It is very premature to say who will have the upper hand,” he said, adding that meaningful progress would depend on flexibility and goodwill from both parties.
Both Washington and Tehran have reportedly entered the talks with competing frameworks - a 15-point proposal from the U.S. and a 10-point plan from Iran - raising concerns about a potential stalemate.
Nawab acknowledged the complexity but suggested that breakthroughs often happen away from public view. He stressed that sensitive elements of diplomacy are rarely disclosed in real time, expressing cautious optimism that “some common ground” could still emerge.
For Pakistan, the stakes extend beyond mediation. While Islamabad has positioned itself as a peacemaker on the global stage, it continues to grapple with its own regional challenges, including tensions with Afghanistan.
Nawab rejected criticism that Pakistan should prioritise domestic conflicts over international diplomacy, arguing that such issues are not mutually exclusive.
“This is the nature of international relations,” he said, pointing out that many countries engage in mediation despite internal challenges. He also underlined Pakistan’s longstanding ties with Afghanistan and its participation in recent China-facilitated discussions aimed at easing bilateral tensions.
Nawab described the current moment as a “test” for Pakistan’s diplomatic credibility. Turning a temporary ceasefire into a lasting agreement, he noted, would require more than good intentions.
“Peace is linked not only to dialogue, but to power, influence, and above all, trust,” he explained.
He also reflected on Pakistan’s unique position as a mediator, suggesting that countries with fewer geopolitical stakes can sometimes provide neutral ground for dialogue. However, he cautioned that sustaining such a role - particularly between two powerful adversaries - presents a formidable challenge.
With the world watching, Islamabad now finds itself at the centre of a complex geopolitical stage. Whether these talks can move beyond symbolic engagement and produce tangible results remains uncertain - but for now, they represent a rare opening in an otherwise volatile conflict.
Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova praised Georgia for resisting Western pressure (30 May), defending its national interests and pu...
More than 1,500 pages of government documents relating to Peter Mandelson's appointment and tenure as UK ambassador to the U.S. have been published, r...
As Armenia approaches parliamentary elections, Russia appears to be increasing political and economic pressure on Yerevan, signalling that closer inte...
Afghanistan’s consul general in Mashhad and the governor of Iran’s Khorasan Razavi province have discussed expanding trade, improving border trans...
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has withdrawn the appointment of a senior U.S. official to a top leadership role because of delays in U.S....
As Armenia approaches parliamentary elections, Russia appears to be increasing political and economic pressure on Yerevan, signalling that closer integration with the EU could lead to significant changes in labour, transport and energy arrangements between the two countries.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has withdrawn the appointment of a senior U.S. official to a top leadership role because of delays in U.S. payments, according to a statement published on Monday (1 June).
Turkish authorities have launched an investigation into a passenger bus crash in southwestern Türkiye that killed eight people and injured 33 others over the weekend.
Okinawa lost transport links and suffered widespread power outages on Monday (1 June) as Severe Tropical Storm Jangmi brought destructive winds and heavy rain to Japan's south-western islands.
U.S. rapper Kanye West, now known as Ye, performed to a crowd of 118,000 people in Istanbul on Saturday night, marking his first concert in Europe in more than a decade, despite being barred from performing in several countries over past antisemitic remarks.
Okinawa lost transport links and suffered widespread power outages on Monday (1 June) as Severe Tropical Storm Jangmi brought destructive winds and heavy rain to Japan's south-western islands.
Donald Trump said he is “in no hurry” to reach a deal with Iran, insisting the U.S. is slowly getting what it wants. He warned military action remains an option if talks fail. Meanwhile, U.S. forces said they fired a missile at a vessel trying to breach Washington’s blockade of Iran.
The World Health Organisation’s designation of the Bundibugyo Ebola virus outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) is a stark reminder that Ebola remains a persistent global health threat rather than a disease of the past.
Thousands of residents blocked Austria’s Brenner motorway on Saturday (30 May), shutting down a major north-south transport route through the Alps in protest against persistent congestion from heavy truck traffic and tourism.
When Armenians vote on 7 June, they will be voting in an election shaped by months of political change and a rapidly deepening relationship with the European Union. The result may not only determine who governs Armenia but also the future direction of the country's geopolitical alignment.
The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway will resume operations on 2 June after extensive modernisation works. Officials from Azerbaijan, Georgia and Türkiye are set to gather in Akhalkalaki for a launch event marking the reopening of one of the Middle Corridor's most important transport links.
Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova praised Georgia for resisting Western pressure (30 May), defending its national interests and pursuing a "multi-vector foreign policy" - language that closely mirrors the rhetoric of the ruling Georgian Dream party.
As Armenia approaches parliamentary elections, Russia appears to be increasing political and economic pressure on Yerevan, signalling that closer integration with the EU could lead to significant changes in labour, transport and energy arrangements between the two countries.
Uzbekistan recorded further declines in the production of key energy resources during the first four months of 2026, even as output of fuel products, electricity and construction materials increased, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Committee.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment