The proposed nuclear deal talks between Iran and the United States have hit a major roadblock as Iran expressed a lack of trust in Pakistan's role as a mediator. The meeting, which was scheduled to take place in Islamabad, was cancelled at the last minute. Discussions are now underway to relocate the meeting to a venue outside of Pakistan. This development is seen as a major setback for Pakistan, particularly for Army Chief General Asim Munir, who had personally spearheaded the diplomatic efforts.
Setback for Army Chief Asim Munir's Diplomacy
General Asim Munir had taken personal charge of the diplomacy between Iran and the US. Despite extensive efforts to convince Iran, the peace deal meeting remains stalled. Munir had even visited Tehran, staying there for 48 hours to ensure Iran's participation in the Islamabad talks. The primary objective of this meeting was to reach an agreement on the nuclear issue. However, Iran's evasive stance has raised questions about Pakistan's credibility as a neutral ground, despite Munir's direct involvement and his visit to the Iranian capital.
Three Core Reasons Behind Iran's Distrust
According to reports and experts, there are three primary reasons why Iran doesn't trust Pakistan in this mediation process:
Unconventional Diplomacy and US Communication
General Asim Munir reportedly used unconventional methods to facilitate the talks. According to the Financial Times, Munir visited Tehran in full military uniform and provided direct feedback to the US President upon his return, while he remained in constant contact with American officials, who were hopeful that the deal would be finalized this week. However, Iran's last-minute refusal to attend the Islamabad meeting is a significant blow to Munir's diplomatic strategy, while while the Dawn newspaper reports that Islamabad still holds out hope for talks, Iran has yet to give any green signal.