Agencies | Beijing:
In a striking diplomatic revelation that has reshaped perceptions around the West Asia peace process, US President Donald Trump has disclosed that the current ceasefire with Iran was agreed upon as a direct “favour” to Pakistan, publicly acknowledging Islamabad’s critical back-channel role in easing tensions between Washington and Tehran.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Friday while returning from his state visit to China, Trump said Pakistani leadership played a decisive role in facilitating communication and helping secure the ceasefire arrangement aimed at preventing further escalation in the region.
The remarks have significantly elevated Pakistan’s diplomatic profile, transforming its image from a regional observer to a pivotal mediator in one of the most sensitive geopolitical crises affecting West Asia and global energy security.
During the interaction, Trump specifically credited Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar for their sustained diplomatic intervention and mediation efforts.
According to senior diplomatic sources, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had earlier conveyed a crucial five-point proposal from Iran to the United States through discreet diplomatic channels, helping break the deadlock and paving the way for the ceasefire understanding.
The development comes amid growing international concerns over instability in the region, particularly around the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of global oil supplies passes.
Analysts say the ceasefire carries major economic importance for Pakistan, which remains heavily dependent on secure maritime energy routes and uninterrupted fuel supplies from the Gulf region. A prolonged conflict in West Asia could have severely disrupted Pakistan’s energy imports, trade flows and shipping corridors.
Trump’s remarks are also being viewed as a subtle diplomatic signal from Washington that Islamabad is expected to continue playing an active role in regional stability, particularly in relation to security concerns linked to cross-border militancy and instability emanating from neighbouring Afghanistan.
While welcoming the US President’s acknowledgement, Pakistan’s Foreign Office maintained a measured response, stating that lasting peace in the region ultimately depends on sustained engagement between the principal stakeholders involved in the conflict.
Diplomatic observers believe the public endorsement from Trump marks a significant geopolitical moment for Islamabad, reinforcing Pakistan’s relevance in international diplomacy and positioning it as an increasingly important channel for conflict management in the region.
