United States has put a 15-point peace plan into circulation through back-channels, aimed at ending its conflict with Iran now entering its fourth week, even as it remains unclear how widely the proposal has reached Iranian decision-makers or whether Tehran would accept it as a framework for talks.
Into this diplomatic vacuum, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stepped forward, formally offering Islamabad as a neutral venue for what could become the war’s first direct negotiations.
The plan reportedly addresses Iran’s ballistic missile and nuclear programs, as well as maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz ,that Iran has largely blocked, disrupting oil and gas supplies worldwide. It remains unclear, however, how widely the proposal has circulated within Tehran or whether Iran would accept it as a basis for talks.
“Subject to concurrence by the US and Iran, Pakistan stands ready and honoured to host meaningful and conclusive talks aimed at a comprehensive settlement of the ongoing conflict,” Sharif said in a post on X. President Donald Trump highlighted the statement by sharing a screenshot of the post, signaling U.S. attention on Pakistan’s offer.
Behind the diplomatic push is a largely unseen hand. Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Pakistan’s army chief, has quietly emerged as the key back-channel between Washington and Tehran. Officials say Munir’s close ties with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) allow him to relay messages between the two sides, as per US media reports..
Munir recently reached out to Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s parliamentary speaker, proposing Pakistan as a neutral meeting ground. He has met twice with President Trump in 2025, with Trump going so far as to call him his “favorite field marshal.”
Since Feb. 28, the United States and Israel have targeted Iran’s missile facilities and nuclear infrastructure, while Iran has continued launching missiles at Israel and neighboring Arab states. Iran also retains roughly 440 kilograms of highly enriched uranium, raising concerns about potential nuclear escalation.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said diplomatic efforts are ongoing but emphasized that “Operation Epic Fury continues unabated to achieve the military objectives outlined by the commander-in-chief and the Pentagon.”
Iran’s ability to negotiate is complicated by chaos as top leaders including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several other senior figures have been killed.
Despite this, Washington appears willing to engage with whoever can deliver results. Trump said Monday he had been in contact with a senior Iranian figure, describing the exchange as “very good and productive,” and delayed planned strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure, a sign of cautious diplomatic optimism.
Attention has turned to Ghalibaf as a potential channel, given his unique position straddling political authority and military power, with a career spanning the IRGC, the police, and the executive branch.
Ghalibaf himself, however, pushed back sharply. “There has been no negotiation with the United States,” he wrote on X, warning that such reports were being spread to “manipulate financial and oil markets.”
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke with his Iranian counterpart on Tuesday in a phone call requested by Tehran. According to the Chinese foreign ministry, Wang urged that “all sides will seize every opportunity” for peace and initiate negotiations as soon as possible.
