“The Pakistanis have been incredible mediators throughout this process, and we really appreciate their friendship and their efforts to bring this deal to a close.” With that statement, US Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt did more than acknowledge a partner—she revealed a shift in Washington’s approach to one of its most complex diplomatic challenges. At a moment when tensions could easily tilt toward escalation, the United States is not just engaging Pakistan; it is also counting on it.

???? TRUMP PRESS SEC. KAROLINE LEAVITT PRAISES PAKISTAN! "I just want to make one point that's important to the President. The Pakistanis have been incredible mediators throughout this process and we really appreciate their friendship and their efforts to bring this deal to a… pic.twitter.com/tJHjx01cLi — Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 15, 2026

???? TRUMP PRESS SEC. KAROLINE LEAVITT PRAISES PAKISTAN!

"I just want to make one point that's important to the President. The Pakistanis have been incredible mediators throughout this process and we really appreciate their friendship and their efforts to bring this deal to a… pic.twitter.com/tJHjx01cLi

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 15, 2026

That reliance has been built quietly, through sustained effort rather than sudden opportunity. Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have, over recent weeks, moved with a sense of urgency that reflects both the risks at hand and the opening before them. What began as facilitation has evolved into something far more consequential: the careful management of a fragile but functioning diplomatic process between Washington and Tehran.

Despite the high-level US-Iran peace talks in Islamabad ending without a conclusive agreement after 21 hours of intense discussions, Pakistan’s role as a host and earnest mediator has received widespread acclaim. The international community has praised Islamabad for its neutral facilitation, logistical prowess, and commitment to dialogue, all of which are seen as essential contributions to de-escalating the US-Iran conflict, maintaining a fragile two-week ceasefire, and paving the way for lasting peace in the Middle East.

I have to give a lot of credit to Field Marshal Asim Munir and Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif. Both were exceptional hosts and showed real statesmanship in helping mediate the conversation between us and the Iranians, two countries that have not had serious talks in a very long… pic.twitter.com/JwC0wjl8XI — The Thursday Times (@thursday_times) April 13, 2026

I have to give a lot of credit to Field Marshal Asim Munir and Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif. Both were exceptional hosts and showed real statesmanship in helping mediate the conversation between us and the Iranians, two countries that have not had serious talks in a very long… pic.twitter.com/JwC0wjl8XI

— The Thursday Times (@thursday_times) April 13, 2026

Just a few days after a first round that didn’t yield clear results, signals from Washington indicate that the US and Iran might be ready to sit down for talks again—this time in Islamabad. While nothing has been officially arranged yet, the signs are unmistakable: the process is very much alive, and there’s a growing buzz around what many are dubbing Islamabad Talks 2.0, which could be happening in just a matter of days.

From the perspective of the US, there’s a pressing urgency that feels both strategic and calculated. President Donald Trump has suggested that talks could resume “within days,” reflecting a belief that the pressure exerted in recent weeks is starting to shift Tehran’s calculations. His statement that the conflict is “very close to being over” isn’t just a........

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