Pakistan envoy: Lasting security requires regional solutions
By Sadeq Dehqan
Staff writer
As tensions between Iran and the United States escalated in early 2026, Pakistan emerged as an unexpected yet increasingly credible mediator after traditional intermediaries such as Oman were unable to advance the process. With direct channels of communication to both Tehran and Washington, and its own strategic interest in regional stability, Islamabad quietly positioned itself as a bridge, facilitating dialogue, helping de-escalate tensions, and providing a back channel for communication when official diplomatic avenues remained closed. But mediation is only one aspect of the broader relationship between Tehran and Islamabad. Iran and Pakistan also cooperate on energy, trade, border security and counterterrorism. In an interview with Iran Daily, Pakistan's Ambassador to Tehran, Imran Ahmed Siddiqui, discussed Islamabad's mediation efforts, the future of bilateral ties, and Pakistan's vision for a region often defined by conflict rather than cooperation. He stressed that security is a shared concern among all regional countries, which have deep religious, cultural and historical ties, adding that only regional initiatives can provide a lasting solution to the region's security challenges.
IRAN DAILY: Have Iran-Pakistan relations entered a new phase following the war launched by the United States and Israel?
SIDDIQUI: Pakistan and Iran have enjoyed very close and cordial relations since the establishment of Pakistan in 1947, and both countries have always sought to strengthen and fortify those ties. Efforts are continuing in line with the vision of the leadership of both countries. Trade, commercial exchanges, cultural cooperation and people-to-people contacts are all very important in this regard. These efforts are ongoing. A number of delegations from Iran have visited Pakistan, and several delegations from Pakistan are due to visit Iran to discuss these issues, remove existing impediments, and promote closer and more fruitful commercial relations as well as greater cultural cooperation.
What is Pakistan's top priority in its relations with Iran: border security, trade, energy or regional cooperation?
All these areas are integral parts of the bilateral relationship. Both sides have agreed to increase bilateral trade to $10 billion, and we are working towards that goal. At present, a trade delegation is visiting Pakistan to discuss the existing impediments and how they can be removed in order to further strengthen the commercial dimension of our relationship. We are focusing on that. At the same time, there is also great potential to expand cultural exchanges and strengthen political cooperation at multiple levels.
Given its close ties with China, the Arab states and Iran, Pakistan is in a unique position to play a mediating role. Has Islamabad made full use of this capacity, and how has it approached this role?
We enjoy good relations with all our brothers, and this naturally facilitates closer engagement and gives us credibility with all countries. We are pleased to be in a position where we can engage on issues that need to be resolved and help promote reconciliation, friendship and good neighborly relations.
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