Pakistan, the host nation for talks to end the Iran conflict, was not a natural candidate for mediation. Pakistan does not officially recognize the state of Israel, a key party to the conflict. The country also secretly developed nuclear weapons, an act the US and Israel are currently accusing Iran of.

Furthermore, Islamabad had a tumultuous start in its relationship with President Donald Trump, when he declared during his first term that Pakistan had only given the US "lies and deceit".

Over many months, however, Pakistan's leadership has worked to court the Trump administration with agreements and public praise.

"We understood him", said Mushahid Hussain Syed, former chairman of Pakistan's Senate Defense Committee.

President Donald Trump at the White House on 18/4. *AP*

He added that Pakistan quickly recognized Trump's "transactional" diplomatic mindset. "We accommodated a lot. We gave him three things: cryptocurrency, critical minerals, and counter-terrorism", Syed said.

Early in Trump's second term, Pakistan tracked down one of the masterminds behind a deadly attack on US soldiers in Kabul in 2021. A few months later, Islamabad signed a critical minerals agreement with the US. This year, Pakistan's Finance Ministry signed an agreement with a business linked to the Trump family's cryptocurrency company.

They also made other outreach efforts, such as repeatedly publicly thanking Trump for helping achieve a ceasefire with India in 5/2025, nominating Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize, and joining the Peace Council founded by the US.

Last October, Trump described Army Chief Asim Munir, Pakistan's most powerful figure, as his "favorite general". With the next round of US-Iran talks potentially resuming in Islamabad this week, Pakistan will have an opportunity to further strengthen its relationship with Trump.

Since Pakistan's role is primarily to facilitate communication, Syed believes it is crucial for Islamabad to gain the trust of both the US and Iran. Its status as a nuclear nation also adds to Pakistan's credibility.

Pakistan's non-recognition of Israel does not hinder its mediation efforts, as both Iran and Pakistan believe that if an agreement is reached with the US, Trump will pressure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's administration to comply.

Pakistani media has reported on the negotiation efforts with an enthusiastic tone. Phrases like "vibrant diplomacy" and "brilliant achievements" frequently appeared on ARY television.

"Who would have thought the Prime Minister of Pakistan would post on social media X and have it retweeted by the US President himself!", a commentator said.

Maleeha Lodhi, a veteran Pakistani diplomat, believes the country has reason to be proud of its subtle diplomatic maneuvers, which are necessary to balance relations with both Iran and the US.

"It is a moment of pride. Without a doubt, it has helped enhance the country's image and standing", she said.

From left: Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir, US Vice President JD Vance, and Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in Islamabad on 11/4. *AFP*

However, she also warned that people would soon forget the images on television. What they truly care about is whether the government can solve core economic issues. Hosting peace talks "does not help fill their stomachs", she said.

In the past year, Pakistan has faced mounting security challenges with conflicts involving both India and Afghanistan. Meanwhile, the local currency depreciated, leading to a severe cost-of-living crisis.

The conflict in Iran has only worsened the situation. Over 90% of Pakistan's imported fuel passes through the Strait of Hormuz. A blockade of the strait forced the government to increase fuel prices, a decision that caused widespread anger domestically.

"We are happy that Pakistan was chosen for this honor", shared Liaquat Khan, a 51-year-old waiter. But he also stated that "everyone is very worried" after the first round of talks failed, fearing that fuel prices would continue to escalate.

Joshua White, a former White House advisor, noted that Pakistan has effectively grasped Trump's diplomatic style. However, he believes the country's leadership does not seem to have used that warm relationship to improve the lives of its citizens.

"The mineral agreement is unlikely to materialize, and the cryptocurrency deals are probably illusory", he remarked.

By Thanh Tam (According to The Washington Post, AFP)