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From the Iranian perspective, General Asim Munir’s involvement is viewed with deep suspicion, with officials in Tehran characterising his efforts as a ‘one-sided game’
The failure to convince Iran to commit to a second round of the Islamabad Talks without significant and immediate US concessions underscores the reality that Pakistan’s leverage over Tehran is virtually non-existent. File image/Reuters
Top intelligence sources have revealed to CNN-News18 that the high-stakes diplomatic effort by Pakistan to bridge the divide between Washington and Tehran has hit a critical deadlock. Despite the public posturing of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir, the Iranian leadership remains unconvinced by Islamabad’s mediation. The breakdown in communication suggests that the talks have reached a formal stalemate, primarily because the Iranian side views Pakistan as being in no position to effectively front their specific strategic demands.
The internal dynamics in Tehran have fundamentally shifted the goalposts for these negotiations. Real operational and decision-making power has transitioned to hardline leaders linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), most notably Ahmad Vahidi. Sources indicate that Vahidi is actively blocking any concessions and has tightened his grip over the Iranian negotiating team. In a series of stern directives, Vahidi reportedly reminded the delegation of the gravity of the moment, stating emphatically that they have “lost our Supreme Leader”, implying a shift towards a more defensive and uncompromising posture.
From the Iranian perspective, General Asim Munir’s involvement is viewed with deep suspicion, with officials in Tehran characterising his efforts as a “one-sided game” that leans too heavily towards Western interests. This lack of trust is mirrored on the other side of the Atlantic. Hardliners within the Trump administration and Israeli officials are reportedly unconvinced by Islamabad’s burgeoning ties with Mojtaba Khamenei’s new leadership in Iran. While the US has used Pakistan as a backchannel, Israeli intelligence views Pakistan’s nuclear status and its persistent anti-Israel rhetoric as a primary obstacle to any meaningful diplomatic breakthrough.
Furthermore, Pakistan’s role as a mediator is being increasingly perceived as a position of profound weakness rather than diplomatic strength. The Pakistani economy is currently reeling from soaring energy prices triggered by the ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. The severity of the maritime crisis forced the Pakistan Navy to launch Operation Muhafiz-ul-Bahr simply to secure its own shipping lanes and energy security. Consequently, Islamabad’s “honest broker” routine is being dismissed by regional players as a desperate attempt to protect its own borders and fuel supplies from total collapse.
The failure to convince Iran to commit to a second round of the Islamabad Talks without significant and immediate US concessions underscores the reality that Pakistan’s leverage over Tehran is virtually non-existent. International observers now suggest that Pakistan’s role has been reduced to merely providing a physical venue for meetings, rather than exercising any genuine diplomatic influence. With Iranians now explicitly stating they do not want any further Pakistani intervention, the “Islamabad Channel” appears to have run dry, leaving the region in a state of heightened volatility.
April 24, 2026, 12:13 AM IST
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