Pakistan pitches to host US-Iran talks, Trump nods with PM Shehbaz Sharif's post

Pakistan has signalled its willingness to host potential peace talks between the United States and Iran, injecting fresh momentum into diplomatic efforts to end the escalating Middle East conflict, even as Tehran publicly denies any negotiations with Washington.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday shared a social media post from Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who offered Islamabad as a venue for dialogue. In the post, Sharif said Pakistan “welcomes and fully supports” efforts to end the war and stands “ready and honoured” to host talks, subject to agreement by both sides.

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif wrote, “Pakistan welcomes and fully supports ongoing efforts to pursue dialogue to end the WAR in Middle East, in the interest of peace and stability in region and beyond. Subject to concurrence by the US and Iran, Pakistan stands ready and honoured to be the host to facilitate meaningful and conclusive talks for a comprehensive settlement of the ongoing conflict.”

The development comes amid heightened global concern over the conflict’s widening economic fallout, particularly disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global energy supplies.

However, Iran has firmly pushed back against claims that talks are underway. Tehran’s position directly contradicts Trump’s assertion that negotiations are imminent. Still, behind-the-scenes diplomatic activity appears to be intensifying.

According to multiple US and Israeli media reports, countries including Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey have been quietly acting as intermediaries between Washington and Tehran, attempting to create an off-ramp from a conflict that has triggered one of the most severe energy crises in modern history.

Reports suggest Islamabad could emerge as the venue for talks as early as this week. US outlet Axios indicated two possible formats under consideration: one involving Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, US envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner; and another featuring US Vice President JD Vance meeting Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

Ghalibaf has dismissed Trump’s claims, accusing the US of attempting to “escape the quagmire” it faces alongside Israel.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei acknowledged that messages have been conveyed through “friendly countries,” confirming indirect communication channels remain open. However, he stressed that Iran’s responses are guided by its “principled positions,” signalling no immediate shift toward formal talks.

Further hardening Tehran’s stance, senior military adviser Mohsen Rezaei said the war would continue unless Iran receives compensation, sanctions relief and guarantees against future US interference. He spoke in a televised address tied to the leadership of Mojtaba Khamenei.

Can the latest peace push work?

Pakistan’s offer provides a neutral diplomatic platform with established ties to both Washington and Tehran, and its role as a backchannel facilitator could help bridge gaps where direct engagement has stalled. The involvement of multiple intermediaries also suggests a coordinated international push to de-escalate.

Pakistan-Afghanistan conflict

However, Pakistan itself is in conflict with its neighbour Afghanistan and the conflict, which escalated in February after Pakistan launched a dozen airstrikes on targets in Afghanistan, marks the most serious confrontation in years between the neighbours, who share a 2,600-km border. Yet it has received relatively less international attention as global focus remains fixed on the spiralling US-Israeli war on Iran.

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