ISLAMABAD – United States’ top diplomat in Islamabad praised Pakistan for playing historic role in bringing Washington and Tehran to negotiating table, crediting PM Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir led leadership for averting regional escalation and paving way for a landmark US-Iran agreement.
Speaking on Pakistan Observer podcast, US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A. Baker said Pakistan’s mediation was “exemplary”, insisting that “this was a role that only Pakistan could play” because of its unique relationships with both the United States and Iran.
The envoy revealed that Pakistani leaders facilitated diplomatic breakthrough at a time when Washington and Tehran had no direct communication channel, calling Islamabad as indispensable bridge between the two longtime adversaries. She said the effort involved sustained, high-level diplomacy led by Field Marshal Asim Munir, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who engaged in intensive shuttle diplomacy to keep negotiations on track.
US Vice President JD Vance remained in direct contact with Field Marshal Munir over the past three months, holding repeated conversations and publicly describing him as “a very important Pakistani” during the diplomatic process. She even disclosed that negotiations are now continuing in Switzerland, where American and Pakistani negotiators are working alongside Iranian and Qatari counterparts to build on the newly announced agreement.
She said the breakthrough could open the door to Iran’s deeper integration into the international community while unlocking expanded trade opportunities involving Iran, Pakistan and the wider region.
Highlighting what she described as an unprecedented phase in bilateral relations, Baker said engagement between US President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir had elevated ties to a historic level. “At the leadership level, our relationship is very strong. I would say stronger than it’s ever been in the history of our nations,” Baker said.
Calling Pakistan “a force for good and for stability”, the US envoy said Washington views Islamabad as a key regional partner and intends to continue working closely with Pakistan on diplomacy, peace and regional security.
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