Pakistan cautiously optimistic about Iran-US mediation, military spokesperson says

Pakistan is cautiously optimistic about its efforts to facilitate dialogue between Iran and the United States, military spokesperson Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry told Reuters in an exclusive interview.

He pointed to two visits by Field Marshal Asim Munir to Iran as a sign that diplomatic progress may be possible.

Is Pakistan optimistic about Iran-US mediation?

Yes, but with caution. Chaudhry questioned why the Field Marshal would have visited Iran twice if there were no signs of positive progress. He warned, however, that peace efforts faced challenges, saying powerful elements seeking to undermine diplomatic initiatives were always present.

“If there were no signs of positive progress, why would the Field Marshal have visited Iran twice?” the Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) said in the interview with the international news agency.

Pakistan has sought to play a mediating role amid heightened regional tensions. Its diplomatic engagement has focused on encouraging dialogue and preventing further escalation between Washington and Tehran.

Will Pakistan deploy more troops to Saudi Arabia?

On defense ties with Saudi Arabia, the military spokesperson said any decision to deploy additional Pakistani troops to the kingdom would depend on developments on the ground and decisions by the political leadership of both countries.

He also said countries sharing a common vision of collective deterrence and regional stability could potentially become part of the proposed Makkah Joint Defense Alliance. Decisions on admitting additional members would rest with the political leadership of the three countries involved.

Reaffirming Islamabad’s commitment to Riyadh, he said Pakistan remained committed to Saudi Arabia’s defense and the protection of Makkah and Madinah, Islam’s two holiest cities. On Yemen, he described the conflict as an internal matter and said Pakistan was not a party to it. Pakistan’s role, he added, was focused on supporting Saudi Arabia’s defense and safeguarding the Haramain Sharifain, the two holy mosques.

Will there be a military operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa?

On domestic security, the DG ISPR ruled out plans for a major military operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Pakistan would instead intensify intelligence-based operations to counter militant threats.

He said intelligence-led efforts would remain the focus of the country’s counterterrorism strategy in the province, rather than a large-scale military campaign.

The comments set out Pakistan’s stated approach on three fronts: diplomatic engagement to ease tensions between Iran and the United States, defense cooperation with Saudi Arabia and counterterrorism operations at home.