Pakistan remains actively engaged in steering US, Iran toward negotiated settlement: Masood Khan
Islamabad: Former president of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Masood Khan has stated that despite rapidly shifting developments and heightened tensions, Pakistan remains actively engaged in steering the United States and Iran toward a negotiated settlement, even as both sides adopt increasingly hardened positions.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Sardar Masood Khan in a statement issued here described the current phase as a “coercive contest,” where diplomatic engagement is unfolding alongside intense military and economic pressure.
He noted that while there have been intermittent positive signals—such as the temporary opening of the Strait of Hormuz—these gains have been undermined by continued maritime restrictions and renewed threats, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty and mistrust.
He observed that both Washington and Tehran are simultaneously preparing for negotiations and confrontation. “Iran has kept the option of dialogue open while signaling readiness for retaliation, whereas the United States is intensifying pressure to extract maximum concessions before any formal agreement,” he said. This dual approach, he added, has made the second round of talks more complex than the first, despite initial success in bringing both sides to the table.
Masood Khan emphasized that key sticking points continue to hinder progress, including Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions relief, the future of the Strait of Hormuz, and the status of regional allies. He noted that the United States has adopted a maximalist stance, seeking far-reaching commitments, while Iran views many of these demands as excessive and incompatible with its sovereign rights.
Highlighting Pakistan’s role, he stated that Islamabad has completed all necessary preparations to host the next round of talks and continues to maintain close contact with both sides, as well as key regional stakeholders, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, and China. Pakistan, he noted, is working diligently to bridge differences and sustain momentum toward dialogue, despite the volatile environment.
