Former Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States, China and the United Nations, and former President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Sardar Masood Khan, has said that Pakistan’s successful mediation between the United States and Iran has fundamentally transformed its international standing, positioning the country as a trusted diplomatic bridge capable of shaping the future security and economic architecture of West Asia.
Speaking in a television Interview, he said Pakistan’s achievement was the result of sustained diplomacy carried out with patience, credibility and strategic balance. He noted that despite nearly five decades of hostility between Washington and Tehran, both capitals maintained complete confidence in Pakistan throughout the negotiations, enabling Islamabad to facilitate direct engagement and ultimately secure a historic diplomatic breakthrough.
Sardar Masood Khan said Pakistan’s success was strengthened by close coordination with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Türkiye, Egypt, Oman and China, while receiving broad international support from Europe, Asia and the wider international community. He added that the collective diplomatic effort reinforced Pakistan’s credibility as the lead mediator and demonstrated the country’s ability to unite diverse stakeholders behind a common objective of regional peace.
He said the Memorandum of Understanding marks only the beginning of a more demanding phase, as negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions relief, release of frozen assets and verification arrangements will require continued diplomacy and confidence-building. According to him, Pakistan remains the most credible facilitator to assist both sides in overcoming future differences during the implementation process.
Sardar Masood Khan observed that the proposed establishment of a $300 billion reconstruction and development fund for Iran, supported by Gulf countries and major Asian economies, has the potential to reshape regional economic relations. He said reconstruction, expanded energy cooperation and renewed commercial connectivity could generate long-term economic dividends for the entire region while strengthening regional stability.
Highlighting Pakistan’s own economic prospects, he said improved regional relations could accelerate long-delayed initiatives, including the Iran–Pakistan Gas Pipeline, enhanced connectivity between Gwadar and regional ports, expanded petrochemical cooperation, greater Gulf investment, and stronger collaboration in technology, energy and infrastructure. He added that Pakistan’s growing strategic relevance also provides new opportunities to deepen cooperation with the United States in critical minerals, renewable energy, advanced technologies, education and investment.
Discussing the regional security environment, Sardar Masood Khan cautioned that Israel’s posture remains one of the principal challenges to sustaining the emerging diplomatic understanding. While expressing optimism that the United States would encourage restraint, he noted that unresolved tensions in Lebanon and broader regional security concerns will continue to require careful diplomatic management.
Commenting on regional geopolitics, he said Pakistan’s constructive diplomacy has significantly enhanced its influence in West Asia at a time when competing regional connectivity initiatives are being reassessed. He observed that Islamabad’s role as a credible peace facilitator has strengthened its strategic profile and reinforced confidence among regional and international partners.
Referring to recent developments in South Asia, Sardar Masood Khan said Pakistan’s responsible diplomacy has also strengthened its international credibility in contrast to confrontational regional approaches. —AFP
