TRUMP and Pezeshkian can avail Trump’s latest US-Iran “fair and reasonable” deal as victory in their Pakistan visit. Trump wants foreign policy victory to win mid-term elections at home while improving his bargaining position with Xi in China visit. Iran has already won because it is still a member of nuclear non-proliferation Treaty with no nuclear ambitions. Pakistan is therefore providing a victory opportunity to both and rest of the world for peace, economy and rule of law.
The wars against Iran (US-Iran), Palestine, Lebanon & Middle East (Israel) and Ukraine (Russia), and Pakistan (India) call for restoration and upholding of rule of law. The positive thing in these tragic wars is that other world nations are calling for upholding post WW2 international system including the UN, ICC and human rights despite its abject failure to stop wars, protect civilians and human rights including upholding of Geneva conventions.
To uphold international law, the case in point is China-Pakistan five-point peace plan. The plan calls to de-escalate the conflict between Iran, Israel, and the United States, calling for an immediate ceasefire, protecting regional shipping, and fostering diplomatic negotiations. The proposal emphasizes ending attacks on civilians and upholding the UN Charter to restore regional stability. It is also a peaceful pathway for independent Palestine state and resolving Kashmir issue under the UN Resolutions.
The failure of Israel’s wars in ME is a window for two-state solution under international law. Israel’s Lebanon attacks are yet another attempt for its security including energy and water in post war region. Islamabad has successfully restrained further expansion of US-Iran conflict in larger scheme of things. With Iran cognizant of America withdrawing from the region, it is going to compromise for peace and prosperity in the region instead of forever wars.
The post WW-2 Bretton Woods System will continue after the US-Iran nuclear peace deal. The deal will help integrate global economy with Iran, South West Asia, ME, and, the Global South through land and sea routes including East-West and North-South corridors. The Pak-China Iran peace plan supported by Russia shows that there is no attempt on part of major powers including China and Russia to bring new world order. It is clear message to India and Israel to fall in line or stay isolated.
To have US-Iran nuclear deal, Trump needs to leave Iran’s peaceful nuclear program alone. Iran is a sovereign country. It rightly perceives its civilian nuclear program ratified by IAEA for years. Contradicting Trump, Gabbard, (US intelligence head) testified in Senate hearing that Iran did not rebuild nuclear program after 2025. Trump should give peace a chance by letting diplomacy settle nuclear program details and let Iran keep its nuclear program for civilian use like other European countries for energy independence. In 2025, low-carbon sources (nuclear, hydro, wind, and solar) accounted for a record 95.2% of France’s electricity generation, with nuclear providing around 70% of that total.
Finally, Iranian officials say significant gaps remain over nuclear terms, sanctions relief and ceasefire. Trump and Iran can get a victory “No nuclear Iran” agreement in coming days with Pakistan’s efforts in the next round of talks in Islamabad. With nuclear Iran issue settled, the remaining details can be sorted- out in a follow up comprehensive agreement. With Iran upholding IAEA NPT membership, it is turn of Israel to join it to make world a safer place.
—The writer is senior political analyst based in Islamabad.
