Pakistan, Iran explore path toward new talks with US in a China-initiated push — sources

• Islamabad explores pathway to restart negotiations amid escalating Middle East conflict

• China reaffirms support for Pakistan’s diplomatic role, urges return to dialogue and lasting ceasefire

• Houthi attacks and Strait of Hormuz tensions complicate fresh peace initiative and threaten global energy supplies

• Iran hails Pakistan’s constructive diplomacy as Islamabad balances ties with Tehran, Riyadh and Beijing

 ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is actively exploring the possibility of reviving stalled US-Iran negotiations aimed at ending their nearly five-month-old conflict, with renewed diplomatic efforts gaining momentum following China's backing for Islamabad's mediation initiative amid escalating regional tensions and growing concerns over the disruption of vital Gulf trade and energy routes.

According to three Pakistani sources, exploratory discussions took place during Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni's visit to Islamabad this week—his second trip in the past 10 days—as both sides examined prospects for restarting dialogue between Washington and Tehran.

Momeni, who is considered close to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, met Pakistani government leaders and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir during the visit, according to official Pakistani statements.

However, all three sources cautioned that significant obstacles remain before any negotiations with the United States can resume.

Strait of Hormuz tensions complicate mediation

Pakistan has found itself navigating an increasingly delicate diplomatic landscape as it seeks to facilitate renewed dialogue.

Earlier this week, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia, a close ally of Pakistan that signed a mutual defence treaty with Islamabad last year.

Pakistan relies on Saudi financial support and has strongly condemned recent Houthi attacks on Saudi oil installations. At the same time, Islamabad must balance its close ties with Beijing, another key strategic and economic partner that has a strong interest in restoring stability to critical Middle Eastern trade corridors.

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also discussed the evolving Middle East situation with Chinese officials during his recent visit to China, all three Pakistani sources said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss the matter publicly.

“The Chinese are unhappy because Iran’s attacks on other Gulf states and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz are hitting their interests,” one Pakistani government official said, noting that disruptions in the Red Sea would also affect another major trade route critical to Beijing.

Dar and the Pakistan military’s media wing did not respond to requests for comment.

In a statement, China’s Foreign Ministry said, “China supports the mediation efforts made by Pakistan and other parties.”

It added that Beijing would continue to “play an active role in restoring peace and tranquility in the Middle East Gulf region as soon as possible.”

China urges diplomacy

China remains Iran’s largest trading partner and the principal buyer of its crude oil exports despite international sanctions, benefiting from discounted energy supplies.

Over the years, Beijing has also expanded support for Iran’s security capabilities through dual-use components, semiconductor equipment and satellite navigation systems, although it has not publicly provided direct military assistance since the conflict began.

China has consistently backed Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts and, in March, dispatched its special envoy on a shuttle diplomacy mission across the Middle East.

The United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding in June following mediation by Pakistan and Qatar, creating a 60-day framework for negotiations on a permanent settlement.

However, indirect talks failed to produce a breakthrough, with both sides accusing each other of violating the agreement before hostilities resumed.

The situation deteriorated further after the Houthis claimed on Thursday to have attacked two Saudi oil tankers as part of their declared naval blockade, threatening to create another major chokepoint for global energy supplies alongside the near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The escalation has increased both the urgency and complexity of Pakistan’s latest diplomatic initiative.

A Pakistani official said a halt to attacks on Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries had now become “a pre-requisite for any talks to resume.”

The official added that Pakistan had conveyed this message directly to Iran.

Iran calls for stronger cooperation with Pakistan

Earlier, Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam called for enhanced bilateral cooperation to address mounting security challenges in West Asia, while praising Islamabad’s diplomatic role as renewed fighting between the United States and Iran complicates efforts to restore negotiations.

The ambassador’s remarks came as Pakistan continued efforts to facilitate dialogue between Washington and Tehran amid fears that the conflict could spread further across the Gulf with serious implications for global energy markets.

Islamabad has consistently urged restraint and supported diplomatic engagement, helping the two sides reach an interim peace framework signed last month and encouraging negotiations toward a final agreement within 60 days.

“Strengthening our bilateral cooperation is essential for addressing contemporary security challenges in West Asia,” Ambassador Moghadam said during a roundtable discussion in Islamabad organised by the Centre for International Strategic Studies.

According to a statement issued after the event, Moghadam said Pakistan had played “a constructive diplomatic role in facilitating negotiations and advancing efforts toward regional peace and stability.”

His remarks followed a series of high-level Pakistan-Iran engagements in recent weeks, including visits to Islamabad by Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni and a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Kyrgyzstan on Friday.