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.
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Pakistan‑brokered talks between the U.S., Israel and Iran get underway today as disagreements continue over the two‑week ceasefire, including Israel‑Hezbollah conflict and Iran’s handling of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz after President Donald Trump warned the terms were being misapplied.
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Dubai has restricted foreign airlines to one daily flight to its airports until 31 May due to the Iran crisis, raising fears of significant revenue losses for Indian carriers, industry letters show.
The U.S. and Iran are meeting in Pakistan under a fragile ceasefire but remain deeply divided over Tehran’s nuclear programme, sanctions and regional security. With fighting in Lebanon escalating, the talks face mounting pressure.
China and Russia vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution on Tuesday aimed at coordinating defensive efforts to protect commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, leaving no agreed international framework for securing the vital route.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has given an instruction for Israel to begin peace talks with Lebanon that would also include the disarming of Hezbollah.
Some geographies are small on the map yet immense in history. The Strait of Hormuz is one. About a quarter of global oil trade and a fifth of LNG flows pass through this narrow corridor - around 20 million barrels per day sustaining the global system.
Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed to continue dialogue and avoid steps that could worsen tensions after China-hosted talks in Urumqi, with Kabul and Beijing saying the meetings focused on easing differences and improving relations.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said Türkiye aims to rank among the world’s top ten exporters of defence technology within the next two years.
The U.S. and Iran are meeting in Pakistan under a fragile ceasefire but remain deeply divided over Tehran’s nuclear programme, sanctions and regional security. With fighting in Lebanon escalating, the talks face mounting pressure.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday (9 April) he is seeking direct talks with Beirut, a day after the deadliest bombardment of the war killed more than 250 people in Lebanon and put Donald Trump’s U.S.–Iran ceasefire at risk.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry has condemned continued Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon, which have left hundreds dead - mostly civilians - over the past 48 hours, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has instructed his cabinet to begin direct peace talks with Lebanon.
Every year, 9 April brings Georgia to a standstill. It is a day of grief, pride and reflection, as the nation remembers those who died for freedom while confronting present-day challenges.
Millions of Indians queued to vote in local elections across two states on Thursday, kicking off four key contests this month.
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