First round of US-Iran talks in Islamabad lays strong foundation for durable Middle East peace
PESHAWAR (APP): The first round of high-level peace talks between the United States and Iran, recently hosted in Islamabad, is being widely viewed as a significant diplomatic effort that could pave the way for a breakthrough agreement in subsequent negotiations—an outcome considered crucial for long-term peace and stability especially in Middle East and beyond.
The Pakistani capital has once again emerged as a focal point of global diplomacy as it prepares to host a potentially decisive second round of talks between the senior delegations from Washington and Tehran possibly in the next few days.
Despite initial uncertainties surrounding Iran’s participation demanding lifting of the US naval blockade on its sea ports, the continuation of the dialogue reflects a more cautious but notable willingness of both sides to engage with each other at Islamabad, experts say.
Former ambassador Manzoorul Haq emphasized that the upcoming round of negotiations would be crucial between Washington and Tehran, adding that flexibility and mutual understanding would be key to reaching a meaningful agreement.
While highlighting that the first round of talks held at Islamabad was though not resulting in a formal deal, it has successfully established a strong foundation for continued engagement between Tehran and Washington. “In complex diplomatic environment marked by decades of mistrust and hostility since 1979, the initial achievement lies not in immediate agreements but in bringing adversaries to the table vital to remove mistrust and build confidence,” he said.
“The crucial talks in Islamabad marked the first high-level, face-to-face interaction between the US and Iran since the Iranian Revolution in 1979, making the development particularly noteworthy.”
Experts argued that Pakistan’s role extended beyond that of a passive host. By facilitating direct communication and maintaining a neutral environment, Islamabad demonstrated its diplomatic credibility and ability to manage sensitive geopolitical engagements and facilitate peace processes between rivals.
He said the successful convening of senior leadership from both rival countries strongly reflected Washington and Tehran’s high level of trust in Pakistan’s mediation capabilities.
Manzoorul Haq who served as Pakistan ambassador at Saudia Arabia reiterated that both Washington and Tehran acknowledged Pakistan’s solid efforts in brokering two weeks ceasefire, which underscored its growing stature as a diplomatic intermediary and neutral host.
He said Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has recently made an important visit to brotherly countries of Saudia Arabia, Qatar and Turkiye and Field Marshall Syed Asim Munir to Tehran as part of the ongoing peace efforts where they received historic welcome and praise.
“The spectacular welcome to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir in these countries and continued praise by US President Donald Trump marked the level of highest respect and regard for Pakistan in both the friendly and brotherly countries,” said Dr Ebad Khan, Opposition leader in KP assembly.
Talking to APP, he said that Pakistan has come out of the Middle East crisis as victorious by bringing both the warring nations to the negotiation table. “Pakistan has ensured peace as a result of the statesmanship of our Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, which makes us proud in the backlash of happenings in the region.
Dr. Ebad said both the Iran and the US reposed their full trust in Pakistan at the first round of Islamabad Talks, hoping that both the countries will show maturity to reach for a win- win peace deal at Islamabad.
Similarly, Adnan Sarwar Khan, former Chairman of International Relations at the University of Peshawar, described the anticipated second round of talks at Islamabad as a “make-or-break” moment for both the countries. He expressed optimism that both nations would demonstrate the political will and strategic foresight necessary to move toward a peace agreement acceptable to both the countries.
Observers also pointed out that the Islamabad talks have received positive attention from the international community, reflecting a broader consensus on the importance of reducing tensions between the US and Iran. In an increasingly fragmented global landscape, he said such diplomatic initiatives garner widespread approval, making this development particularly significant.
Dr Adnan said Pakistan’s balancing act in foreign relations and world diplomacy has also been highlighted as a key factor in the success of these critical talks. The country maintained strategic ties with China, strong economic and defense relations with Saudi Arabia, and ongoing positive engagement with both Iran and the US. Managing these relationships simultaneously required nuanced diplomacy and strategic flexibility and Pakistani leadership achieved all goals with great diplomatic acumen.
The experts said Pakistan’s economy is closely linked to investment of Gulf countries, including Qatar and Saudi Arabia, through energy supplies, investments, and financial support. Any escalation in regional tensions could have immediate repercussions for Pakistan’s economic stability, particularly in terms of external financing and balance-of-payments management.
While a concrete agreement has yet to emerge, analysts stressed that second rounds of negotiations at Islamabad are expected to produce immediate results. Instead, they serve to rebuild communication channels, clarify positions, and establish trust, these high level talks have provided golden opportunities to both countries to achieve a peace agreement imperative for stability in the region.
By enabling direct engagement, Islamabad has helped reduce the risk of miscalculation and opened pathways for future progress. Ultimately, experts agreed that Pakistan’s proactive and balanced role in these important talks covered by national and international media reinforced its position as a credible mediator on the global stage. The Islamabad dialogue process, even at this stage, holds significant promise for advancing peace efforts in the Middle East and even beyond.
