DOHA – Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi highlighted Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between US and Iran, stressing that Islamabad remained committed to dialogue despite challenges in the peace process.
Addressing the 8th Global Security Forum in Doha, Qatar, Naqvi said Pakistan had continued working to reduce regional tensions and encourage negotiations between the two sides. The forum, held under the theme “The Future of Alliances,” brought together senior officials and dignitaries from more than 100 countries, according to the Qatar News Agency.
Naqvi said the conflict created serious security concerns for the Middle East and the wider international community. He explained that Pakistan had prioritised diplomatic engagement and continued its efforts to prevent further escalation, even during periods of heightened tension.
The interior minister, who has been involved in Islamabad’s mediation initiative and visited Iran several times since the conflict began, said sustained communication and mutual trust were essential to achieving progress. He emphasised that peace negotiations required patience and continuous engagement rather than a single meeting.
Naqvi acknowledged the contribution of Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir to Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts. Munir and Naqvi visited Iran together in August as part of initiatives aimed at promoting regional peace and stability. Naqvi also travelled to Tehran in September, with Iranian officials describing the visit as part of bilateral engagements.
The minister also discussed the June 18 signing of the 14-point Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between Iran and the United States, with Pakistan serving as a mediator. According to his account, the agreement provided a framework intended to end the conflict that began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.
Naqvi said the diplomatic process subsequently continued at the Lake Lucerne Summit in Switzerland, organised through the efforts of Pakistan and Qatar.
Recalling the summit, he said Qatar’s Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Field Marshal Munir worked for more than 16 hours without a break during negotiations. Naqvi described their efforts as evidence of the mediators’ determination to prevent the talks from failing and avert further conflict.
Naqvi praised Qatar for continuing to support diplomatic engagement amid regional tensions. He said Doha had maintained communication and pursued dialogue at a time when divisions between countries complicated efforts to resolve the crisis.
Highlighting Pakistan’s cooperation with Qatar, the minister said the two countries had worked together to facilitate negotiations and reduce the risk of further escalation.
Islamabad emerged as important diplomatic intermediary in efforts to reduce tensions between the United States and Iran, using its relations with both countries to encourage dialogue and prevent further escalation. Islamabad has a direct interest in regional stability. A prolonged conflict could threaten Pakistan’s border security, disrupt energy supplies, increase fuel prices and damage regional trade.
Islamabad talks: Significant diplomatic achievement
Pakistan’s mediation efforts have included facilitating communication between the two sides, hosting negotiations and coordinating with regional partners, including Qatar. Islamabad has sought to keep diplomatic channels open even when disagreements have prevented negotiations from producing immediate results.
In 2026, Pakistan hosted US-Iran talks in Islamabad, but the discussions concluded without a comprehensive agreement. Subsequent diplomatic initiatives included a ceasefire announced on April 8 and the reported signing of an Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding on June 18, intended to provide a framework for further negotiations.
Pakistan also continued its diplomatic outreach through engagements with Iranian officials and cooperation with Qatar. These efforts aimed to maintain momentum in the peace process and prevent the conflict from spreading further.
Despite these initiatives, Pakistan’s mediation has not, by itself, guaranteed a lasting settlement. Any durable agreement ultimately depends on Washington and Tehran reaching and implementing mutually acceptable terms.
Pakistan emerges as key peacemaker after facilitating US-Iran talks