The Iran-US agreement represents an extraordinary diplomatic success for Pakistan, built on a series of coordinated diplomatic moves that can be broken down into four key achievements.

On one side stood the United States and Israel, engaged in military confrontation with Iran, while major powers either appeared paralysed or had effectively withdrawn into indifference. Yet there was another danger, perhaps even greater. Israel’s effort, or perhaps its central design, was to transform this conflict into a war between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Had that happened, Islamic civilisation would have been drawn into a destructive struggle against itself while Israel watched from the sidelines. The plan appeared complete. Then Pakistan stepped into its path.

If the coming years witness greater unity within the Muslim world, Saudi Arabia’s conduct during this period will undoubtedly be remembered among the formative moments that made it possible.

If the coming years witness greater unity within the Muslim world, Saudi Arabia’s conduct during this period will undoubtedly be remembered among the formative moments that made it possible.

Islamabad understood the nature of the game being played. It decided to overturn it. Conditions were unfavourable. The challenges were immense. The pressures were relentless. Criticism came not only from abroad but also from within. Yet Pakistan knew it had no option but failure. Success was imperative because failure would........

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