Islamabad Mediation 2026: Betting on Calm Despite Deadlock

 Pakistan reaffirmed its mediation role in Spring 2026, maintaining open lines with both Washington and Tehran despite the failure of direct talks earlier this month. The core dispute remains Trump’s refusal to decouple the Strait of Hormuz crisis from Iran’s nuclear enrichment program. As the conflict enters its third month since the February 2026 outbreak, Islamabad is utilizing back-channels to bridge the gap. While Trump demands Tehran take the first step toward Washington, Pakistan continues to coordinate with global powers to sustain the 2026 de-escalation efforts.