Pakistan steps into the spotlight as US-Iran talks loom

Pakistan helped broker a two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran and is poised to host peace talks in Islamabad, deploying thousands of security personnel as the city braces for negotiations. The diplomacy, led by military chief Asim Munir and backed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, underscores Pakistan’s role as a trusted intermediary among Washington, Tehran and Gulf states. Yet the outcome remains uncertain: if talks fail, Pakistan could face spillover risks across its borders and domestic economic and political strain as regional tensions intensify.