Why Iran Accepted Pakistan as Mediator in Talks with US

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Iran has expressed its willingness to accept Pakistan as a mediator in peace talks with the United States, following Islamabad’s efforts to promote a ceasefire amid rising regional tensions. The move is seen as a gesture of goodwill by the Pakistani government.

Iran’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Mohammad Boroujerdi, said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has played an active role in easing conflict in the Gulf region.

“Prime Minister of Pakistan (Shehbaz Sharif) has made many efforts for a ceasefire in the Gulf region,” Boroujerdi said when met at Universitas Paramadina in East Jakarta on April 11.

Approach to Iran and the US

According to Boroujerdi, Pakistan’s efforts involved intensive communication with multiple parties. Sharif is said to have directly communicated with the Iranian government to push for a halt in attacks and encourage a return to the negotiation table.

At the same time, Islamabad also approached Washington, aiming to persuade the U.S. to reopen dialogue with Tehran. Pakistan has also offered to host potential peace talks between the two countries.

“Pakistan is trying to convince us and our opponents to then negotiate in Pakistan,” Boroujerdi said.

He added that the offer was a key factor behind Iran’s willingness to consider Pakistan as a mediator, despite similar proposals from other countries and figures, including Indonesia.

US-Pakistan Meeting

As reported by Al Jazeera, U.S. Vice President J. D. Vance met with Sharif in Islamabad on April 11. The meeting is seen as one of the most significant high-level contacts involving Pakistan and the United States on Iran-related issues in recent years.

Senior Iranian officials also met with Pakistani counterparts as part of indirect discussions with the United States. The Iranian delegation included Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, the security situation in the region remains tense. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that Israeli attacks across the country have killed at least 357 people.

Meanwhile, Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors in the United States were reported to have made direct contact by phone, signaling parallel diplomatic engagement.