Pakistan Sees No War Risk as U.S.-Iran Deadlock Persists

(MENAFN) Pakistan will press ahead with its mediation efforts to secure a negotiated end to the Middle East conflict, with sources close to the process assessing there is "no immediate danger" of renewed hostilities between Washington and Tehran, multiple senior Pakistani government officials told media on Monday.

"Pakistan does not see any immediate danger vis-a-vis resumption of war despite the ongoing deadlock, as Washington and Tehran are seriously pursuing a diplomatic way out to end the conflict," a source told media, commenting on U.S. President Donald Trump's rejection of Iran's latest response to Washington's peace framework.

The sources also noted that Trump has little appetite for a resumption of fighting that could overshadow his upcoming visit to China.

Trump stated Sunday on his Truth Social platform that he had reviewed the response from Iran's "so-called representatives," dismissing it as "totally unacceptable." Iran fired back, declaring that Trump's rejection "doesn't matter at all."

Despite the combative public posturing from both sides, Islamabad remains committed to bridging the divide. The sources said Pakistan would continue working to "break the deadlock despite the two sides' publicly adopted inflexibility on some issues, mainly Tehran's nuclear program."

"Back-channel contacts are continuing despite harsh tones from both sides, with several regional countries, including Qatar and Egypt, assisting Islamabad in its mediatory efforts," a source said.

No 'Significant' Shift on Iran's Nuclear Stance
While Pakistan holds out hope for the resumption of direct talks, the sources indicated there has been no "significant" movement in Iran's position on the nuclear question within its latest submission to Washington. Tehran's response, conveyed to the U.S. through Islamabad last week, is primarily focused on securing an "immediate" end to the war, with "little in terms of Washington's core demand about Iran's nuclear program," the sources said.

Iran has proposed handling the nuclear file through "broader and separate" negotiations, citing its "complexity." On uranium enrichment, Tehran has "reiterated" its "willingness" to suspend enrichment for five years — while firmly rejecting Washington's demand for a 20-year moratorium. The sources added that Iran "once again" refused U.S. calls for the dismantling of its underground nuclear installations, maintaining it has no intention of developing nuclear weapons.

Tehran has also proposed that nuclear negotiations commence within one month of any agreement to formally end the war.

On other outstanding issues, Iran has reaffirmed its readiness to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the lifting of the U.S. blockade on its ports, and has renewed demands for the release of billions of dollars held in frozen accounts, compensation for war damages, and the removal of U.S. and international sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

Pakistan brokered a two-week ceasefire between the two sides on April 8, paving the way for high-level talks in Islamabad on April 11 and 12 — negotiations that ultimately failed to produce a breakthrough. Since then, both parties have been exchanging competing proposals in an effort to find sufficient common ground to launch a second round of direct talks, even as the prolonged conflict continues to disrupt global energy supplies and destabilize daily life across the broader region.

MENAFN11052026000045017169ID1111097185