Making all-out efforts

Pakistan finds itself at the centre of diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the USA-Israel-Iran war

That Pakistan is playing such a prominent role in the efforts to bring about a de-escalation between Iran and the USA is an indication that not only is the country seen as having the weight that will allow it to play a role, but it is trusted by the USA as well as Iran. It has not only hosted a meeting of the Foreign Ministers of four countries which are trying to play peacemakers, but now Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has visited China to concert measures with his Chinese counterpart Wang Li. It is worth noting that there has been a shift in balance, for before the IS-Israel attack of February 48, China was accounted one of Iran’s principal backers. That China has felt the need to reach out to Pakistan on the issue shows that it is not entirely certain about what Iranian wishes were. It is also a sign that Pakistan is acting as a bridge between China and the USA, who are at daggers drawn and are busy competing with each other globally. It is worth noting that China is getting briefed on the quadrilateral meeting in Islamabad by Pakistan, rather than any of the other participants, despite its relations with them being strong. Indeed, its interaction with one of the countries, Saudi Arabia, was to mediate peace between it and Iran.

This was meant to secure oil supplies, not jeopardize them as is happening. The effects pf the closure of the Hormuz Strait have apparently not fully unfolded, and China is going to be particularly badly hit. It therefore wants the war to end. So does Pakistan, for basically the same reason. Russia, which should have been in Iran’s corner, is meanwhile doing nothing, being busy with its own war in Ukraine. Besides, as an oil exporter with no exposure to Hormuz, it stands to benefit most from the rise in oil prices.

Pakistan must be careful to be a genuinely honest broker, and avoid being seen, especially by Iran, as merely a US agent. It also needs a strategy to deal with Israel, which is an attacker, but do far left out of peace efforts, presumably because it is assumed that it will follow the US lead, whatever it is. This is incorrect, for Israel has shown often enough that it dictates US policy, not the other way around.