Pakistan has delivered Iran’s revised proposal to the United States aimed at ending the war in the Middle East, Reuters reported, citing diplomatic sources in Islamabad. Amid continuing instability across the region, Pakistan is gradually emerging as one of the main intermediaries between Washington and Tehran, as direct communication between the two sides remains extremely limited.

The new version of the Iranian proposal largely repeats earlier initiatives that had already been discussed, but includes several important adjustments. Tehran is seeking gradual de-escalation and stabilization around the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world’s most critical oil trade routes. In return, Iran is offering guarantees for maritime security and a reduction in military activity across the region.

At the same time, the Iranian side is insisting on partial sanctions relief. This primarily concerns the temporary easing of restrictions on Iran’s oil sector and the unfreezing of part of the country’s overseas assets. Meanwhile, the issue of Iran’s nuclear program is proposed to be excluded from the initial agreement and discussed separately at a later stage. This approach suggests that Tehran is currently prioritizing the reduction of military and economic pressure, recognizing that a comprehensive agreement with the United States is virtually unattainable under current conditions.

Washington is treating the initiative cautiously. The US administration fears that Iran is attempting to secure economic concessions without making serious commitments regarding its nuclear program and regional policies. For the United States, the key conditions remain limiting Iran’s nuclear capabilities, ending support for allied armed groups across the Middle East, and guaranteeing freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Internal divisions also persist within the American leadership: some policymakers favor limited de-escalation in order to stabilize global energy markets, while more hardline figures advocate increasing pressure on Tehran.

Pakistan’s growing role as a mediator also reflects broader shifts in regional diplomacy. Islamabad has traditionally avoided direct involvement in conflicts between Iran and the United States, but the current crisis provides an opportunity to strengthen its international standing. For Pakistan, the situation carries direct strategic importance: further escalation threatens the country’s energy security, increases risks along the Iran-Pakistan border, and could negatively affect Chinese infrastructure projects in the region.

Despite ongoing negotiations, the overall situation remains highly tense. The ceasefire reached after several weeks of hostilities remains fragile, and any new provocation could trigger another large-scale escalation. Particular concern surrounds the Strait of Hormuz, where any disruption to oil shipments could lead to a sharp rise in global energy prices and serious consequences for the world economy.

An additional source of pressure remains Israel’s position. Israeli officials remain deeply skeptical of any attempts to ease sanctions on Iran, fearing that a pause in the conflict would allow Tehran to rebuild its military capabilities and strengthen its regional influence.

 

As a result, the current negotiations increasingly resemble not preparations for a comprehensive peace agreement, but rather an attempt to create a temporary containment mechanism capable of preventing another major war in the Middle East, at least in the short term.

#USA

#PAKISTAN

#IRAN

18.05.2026 06:17