Can Pakistan Stop the Iran War? | DW News

Why It Matters

Pakistan’s mediation could prevent a broader regional war, while its success or failure will directly affect its energy security, economy and strategic influence across the Middle East and South Asia.

Key Takeaways

• Pakistan hosts diplomatic talks among Saudi, Egypt, Turkey, Iran.
• Islamabad leverages 900‑km border to ensure regional security stability.
• Iran allows Pakistani ships through Strait of Hormuz, boosting energy flow.
• Pakistan balances ties with Gulf oil suppliers and Shia domestic concerns.
• Failure could jeopardize Pakistan’s economy and its strategic regional role.

Summary

DW News examines Pakistan’s sudden emergence as a mediator in the escalating US‑Israeli‑Iran confrontation, highlighting Islamabad’s offer to host talks and act as a bridge between Washington, Tehran and the broader Muslim world.

Over the past week Pakistan’s foreign minister and prime minister have conducted a flurry of phone calls with more than twenty regional leaders, from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Egypt’s president and Turkey’s foreign minister. The country’s 900‑kilometre border with Iran, the restive Baluchistan region, and its reliance on the Strait of Hormuz for 80 % of energy imports give Islamabad tangible security and economic incentives to curb the conflict.

Ambassador Loi noted Pakistan’s unique position, citing its defence pact with Saudi Arabia, close ties to the United States, and Iran’s recent decision to allow twenty Pakistani‑flagged vessels through the Hormuz waterway. The programme also referenced street protests in Karachi after the Israeli‑U.S. strikes, underscoring the domestic Shia constituency that pressures the government to act.

If Pakistan can sustain a neutral stance, it stands to gain diplomatic capital, secure energy routes and bolster its international standing. Conversely, a perceived tilt toward either side could trigger economic fallout, destabilise its border provinces and erode relations with Gulf oil suppliers, reshaping South‑Asian geopolitics.

Original Description

Islamabad is hosting foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey for high-stakes talks to de-escalate the US-Israeli war on Iran, now entering Day 30. We ask Pakistan's former ambassador to the United Nations, Maleeha Lodhi, if the crisis-ridden state – facing regional instability, militant pressure on its borders and major economic strain – can credibly broker wider peace, without being pulled into the conflict. We’ll also be speaking with Marc Pierini. He is a former EU ambassador to Turkey and Syria and now focuses on the Middle East with the Carnegie Europe think tank.

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