U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio today met with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to emphasize the critical need to achieve “durable peace between Israel and Iran”, according to official statements issued from both governments.
Strategic Context
This call follows an escalated regional crisis sparked by Israel’s June 13 airstrikes against Iranian targets. Iran swiftly responded with missile attacks on U.S. bases in Qatar and further U.S. strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities; President Trump later brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Iran backed strongly by Pakistan (m.economictimes.com, reuters.com and apnews.com all have reported it).
Rubio reiterated his claim that Iran will never acquire nuclear weapons during his conversation with Sharif, and reiterated it during their conversation. * For more on this story please read en.wikipedia.org +13 and dawn + 13
This statement represents longstanding U.S. policy while Pakistani officials voiced support, asserting their country’s readiness to help stabilize the region (tribune.com.pk +5 Reuter’s.com +5 Wikipedia.org).
Pakistan Plays Balancing Act
Due to Iran’s lack of formal U.S. relations, Pakistan currently acts as Iran’s intermediary in Washington and has strongly denounced U.S. and Israeli airstrikes against Iran. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif described them as violations of international law during a call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on June 23 and brought up IAEA safeguard sites as examples where strikes violate international law (See: https://apnews.com/2XnqVeP). For more details: https://apnews.com/2X
Islamabad, however, has voiced support for the ceasefire framework while applauding US mediation and signalling a desire to contribute constructively towards regional peace.
Sharif also acknowledged Rubio and President Trump for their roles in helping broker a pause in India-Pakistan tensions, noting their White House meeting with Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir as evidence of deeperening relations. (Sources: Timesofindia.indiatimes.com + 7 Its arabnews.com +7
dawn.com).
Pakistan, U.S. Agree on Vision for Regional Stability
In a joint press release issued by Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s Office and the U.S. State Department, both leaders “acknowledging the significance of working together for lasting peace between Israel and Iran while maintaining regional stability” timesofisrael.com (+7); dawn.com (+7) and The News Pakistan (+7) all pointed to this important agreement between leaders as vitally important to regional peace and stability.
Secretary Rubio also reiterated the United States’ interest in working closely with Islamabad on expanding peacebuilding efforts beyond South Asia into the Middle East, specifically. [Arabnews.com and TheNews.com.pk both provide coverage].
Broader Diplomatic Winds
This high-level engagement underscores a shift in U.S. diplomacy that now emphasizes strategic cooperation on multiple fronts: nuclear proliferation in the Middle East, violence between Iran and Israel being reduced and maintaining momentum for peace in South Asia.
Analysts note that Pakistan’s unique role as an intermediary for Iran in the U.S., while criticizing Western strikes, makes it the ideal broker to facilitate dialogue. Domestically, its government must carefully balance maintaining relationships with both Islamic neighbors as well as expanding relations with Washington.
What Comes Next
In the coming days and weeks, Pakistan should publicly condemn any unilateral military action taken by Iran and quietly coordinate with U.S. officials to support de-escalation. Meanwhile, Washington is exploring renewed diplomatic engagement with Tehran with plans for early week follow up meetings being discussed unofficially.
As regional tensions remain elevated, diplomacy will hinge on two critical questions: Can a nuclear-free framework survive and will Pakistan continue to act as a bridge between Washington and Tehran on this delicate journey?