Pakistan Emerges as Unexpected Mediator in Iran Conflict with Trump’s Support

Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1538 EAT on Tuesday 31 March 2026

The head of Pakistan’s armed forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir, is reportedly in US President Donald Trump’s favour. Trump has often referred to Munir as his “favourite” Field Marshal and praised his knowledge of Iran, saying he knows the country “better than most.”

Iran shares a roughly 900km (559-mile) border with Pakistan and, according to its own statements, maintains a “brotherly” relationship with the country, underpinned by deep cultural and religious ties.

Unlike many traditional Gulf intermediaries, Pakistan has no US air bases and has so far remained outside the direct conflict, giving it a unique position to act as a mediator.

Crucially, Pakistan appears willing to step into the fray, recognising that peace between the US and Iran would serve its national interests.

Still, questions remain about how a country engaged in conflicts with two of its neighbours—Afghanistan and India—has positioned itself as a potential peacemaker. Pakistan is currently conducting airstrikes in Afghanistan, and tensions with India sparked fears of nuclear escalation as recently as last year.

Despite these challenges, Pakistan has so far managed to walk a diplomatic tightrope, acting as a conduit between Iran and the US, hosting foreign ministers from other concerned Muslim nations, and keeping channels of communication open.

Pakistan relies heavily on imported oil, much of it transported through the Strait of Hormuz.

“Pakistan, more than almost any other country outside the Middle East, has a lot at stake here,” Michael Kugelman, senior fellow for South Asia at the Atlantic Council, told the BBC. “It has a clear interest in contributing to efforts to de-escalate tensions.”

In response to the energy crisis, the government raised petrol and diesel prices by about 20% at the start of March and implemented measures including a four-day workweek for government employees to reduce fuel consumption.

In September last year, Pakistan signed a defence agreement with Saudi Arabia, pledging that “any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both.”

The pact has prompted questions over how Pakistan would respond if Saudi Arabia joined the conflict and called on Islamabad for support.

“The challenge for us is that joining the war on Saudi Arabia’s side would leave our entire western border largely exposed,” Siddiqi said.

Pakistan is already in a tense standoff with Afghanistan, accusing the Afghan Taliban of harboring terrorist groups within its borders—a charge the Taliban government denies.

When questioned about its seemingly contradictory stance—pursuing diplomacy abroad while engaging in conflict at home—Pakistan has defended its approach, saying years of talks failed to deliver the security it required.

However, Siddiqi notes that being drawn into another war would bring more than just strategic challenges, citing the “domestic reputational cost” as a major concern.

Following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader in a joint US-Israeli airstrike, pro-Iran demonstrations erupted across Pakistan, with several protesters—including some who attempted to storm the US consulate in Karachi—killed.

“Public sentiment in Pakistan is overwhelmingly pro-Iran,” said Maleeha Lodhi, former ambassador to the US, UK, and UN.

But Pakistan’s relationship with the United States is not its only diplomatic asset.
“Pakistan has realized that hedging is the best approach in regional diplomacy,” Siddiqi said. “In today’s world, especially for middle powers, multi-alignment is increasingly the norm.”

He added, “I think Pakistan is best positioned to engage with Iran because it is not seen as pro-Israeli or overly pro-American.”

Diplomatic efforts continue: Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, is travelling to China on Tuesday at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi.

-BBC

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