Pakistan remains trusted channel between Washington & Tehran: Masood Khan
Islamabad : Former Ambassador of Pakistan to the US, China and the UN, Sardar Masood Khan, has said Pakistan remains a trusted channel between Washington and Tehran and can play a key role in bringing both sides back to the negotiating table.
According to Kashmir Media Service, speaking in a television interview, Sardar Masood Khan said Pakistan’s renewed mediation efforts were a significant diplomatic opportunity to prevent further escalation between the US and Iran. He said the latest US sanctions campaign against Iran appeared to be a pressure tactic aimed at resuming negotiations rather than preparation for military action. He added that sanctions extending to financial networks in around 100 countries could also impact China, India, Pakistan and Gulf states due to their trade linkages with Iran.
The former AJK President credited Field Marshal Asim Munir’s visit to Tehran for facilitating communication and persuading both sides to consider direct talks. He said Pakistan deserved credit for helping revive diplomatic engagement at a time when hope for mediation was fading.
Sardar Masood Khan noted that the continued existence of the Memorandum of Understanding between Washington and Tehran was an encouraging sign that both sides remained open to diplomacy. He identified the Strait of Hormuz as the immediate stumbling block, stressing that an understanding on freedom of navigation, removal of the naval blockade and easing of sanctions were essential for broader negotiations. He said reopening the Strait could also benefit Pakistan economically by reducing energy pressures and improving trade. He cautioned that challenges remained over Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions, frozen assets and uranium enrichment, but stressed that a stable US-Iran relationship would benefit the entire region.
