ISLAMABAD: Pakistan remained actively engaged in diplomatic efforts on Monday as negotiations between the United States and Iran appeared to hit a deadlock after President Donald Trump rejected Tehran’s latest response to a proposed settlement framework.
Despite growing tensions and fears of renewed confrontation, regional and international actors continued intensive diplomatic contacts aimed at preventing the crisis from escalating further.
Trump’s dismissal of Iran’s proposal as “totally unacceptable” reinforced perceptions that both sides remain deeply divided, not only over the terms of a possible agreement but also over the broader political approach guiding the negotiations.
Speaking at the White House on Monday, Trump described the ceasefire as being on “massive life support”.
“The ceasefire is on massive life support, where the doctor walks in and says, ‘Sir, your loved one has approximately a one per cent chance of living,’” he told reporters.
The US president also told Fox News that he was considering reviving a naval operation to escort commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, although no final decision had been made.
“It’s a stupid proposal and nobody would take it — although Obama would have taken it, Biden would have taken it. What they took was far worse,” he said.
“They had 159 ships, and right now they have zero, other than the little speedboats they go around that got taken out eight a day by us,” he added, claiming Iran also had “no air force”.
Amid the uncertainty, Pakistan continued its diplomatic outreach. According to the Foreign Office, US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker met Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to discuss the evolving regional situation.
The FO said Dar expressed hope that ongoing diplomatic engagement would help maintain peace and stability in the region and beyond.
Pakistan also remained in contact with Gulf and international stakeholders. Dar held discussions with Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud regarding the Iran-US situation and regional diplomacy.
Islamabad said the Saudi foreign minister appreciated Pakistan’s “constructive role” and reaffirmed support for initiatives promoting regional peace and stability, particularly in the context of continuing Iran-US engagement.
Both sides also discussed maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz and agreed to stay in close coordination as concerns grow among Gulf states over threats to global energy routes and regional stability.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary General’s Personal Envoy for the Middle East Conflict Jean Arnault met Dar and was briefed on Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic efforts and recent regional developments.
On the Iranian side, diplomatic activity suggested Tehran was strengthening coordination with regional powers while maintaining indirect communication with Washington through Pakistan’s mediation channel.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a second phone call within 24 hours with the Saudi foreign minister to discuss the diplomatic process, which Iranian officials described as being facilitated by Pakistan.
Iran also confirmed that Araghchi separately spoke with the foreign ministers of the Netherlands and Egypt regarding the evolving crisis and diplomatic engagement.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Tehran’s latest response to Washington included what he described as “legitimate” demands, including an end to regional conflict, lifting the US blockade on Iranian ports, and releasing frozen Iranian assets abroad.
“We did not demand any concessions. The only thing we demanded was Iran’s legitimate rights,” Baqaei said during a weekly press briefing.
He added that several countries, especially in the region, had contacted Tehran due to concerns over escalating tensions.
“Our mediator is still Pakistan, which continues its work as the official mediator between Iran and the United States,” he said.
Analysts and diplomatic sources increasingly believe the crisis has entered a phase where negotiations and military pressure are unfolding simultaneously rather than separately.
