The British newspaper Financial Times praised Pakistan’s leadership for its efforts to cool tensions in the Middle East, saying that powerful military leader Asim Munir has intensified mediation efforts by leveraging his ties with Iran and his close relationship with Donald Trump.
The newspaper wrote that Pakistan is positioning itself as a central mediator to end the war against Iran, and that senior Pakistani officials are facilitating backchannel contacts between Iranian officials and Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
According to the British newspaper, Pakistan is using its military leadership’s relations with Iran and its cordial ties with Trump to help bring the conflict to an end.
The report says Pakistan has offered to host potential talks between senior U.S. and Iranian officials in Islamabad in the coming days.
According to the report, Field Marshal and Army Chief Asim Munir spoke with U.S. President Trump on Sunday, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke with the Iranian President on Monday.
The newspaper added that the conversation between Shehbaz Sharif and the Iranian President took place at around the same time that Trump announced on his social media platform that he was postponing his threat to destroy Iran’s power plants, citing very positive and constructive discussions with Tehran.
Meanwhile, Iran rejected Trump’s claim about negotiations, saying it was aimed at lowering energy prices and buying time to implement military plans.
According to Iranian media, the Foreign Ministry stated that no talks are taking place between Tehran and Washington.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry further said that President Trump’s statements are intended to reduce energy prices and gain time to carry out military plans.
