Pakistan mediates US-Iran conflict amid criticism from Iranian lawmaker

Pakistan is actively attempting to mediate between the United States and Iran to prevent the current conflict from escalating into a wider regional war. Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), described Pakistan as an “honest broker” committed to a negotiated and peaceful outcome. He noted that Pakistan has maintained transparency by condemning both Israeli attacks on Iran and Iranian retaliatory actions in the Gulf.

However, these diplomatic efforts have faced criticism from Iranian officials. Mohsen Zanganeh, head of the Economic Committee of Iran’s parliament, questioned the legitimacy of Pakistan’s mediation. Zanganeh alleged that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s social media communications regarding the efforts were influenced by American interests, stating, “Even their tweet was written by the Americans.”

Prime Minister Sharif has previously called on US President Donald Trump to allow more time for diplomacy and has urged Iran to temporarily reopen the Strait of Hormuz to facilitate negotiations.