IPS Journal praises Pakistan’s efforts to ease US-Iran tensions

The European social democratic-affiliated magazine IPS Journal has praised Pakistan’s efforts to reduce tensions between the United States and Iran.

In an article titled “Pakistan – The Peacemaker”, published on August 14, IPS Journal described Pakistan as an important diplomatic link keeping communication open between Washington and Tehran.

The magazine said the Islamabad Memorandum provides a practical diplomatic framework to help prevent a wider war in the region.

According to IPS Journal, Pakistan achieved an important diplomatic success by helping create a path for high-level talks between the United States and Iran.

It said Pakistan’s geographical position and long-standing relations with both Washington and Tehran give it a unique position to play a role in mediation.

The magazine also praised Pakistan for using careful and quiet diplomacy to reduce tensions and keep negotiations alive. Instead of taking sides, Islamabad focused on dialogue and de-escalation.

IPS Journal said Pakistan had revived its traditional role of acting as a bridge between opposing sides and turned its access and relations with both countries into a diplomatic advantage.

It added that Pakistan’s diplomacy provided Iranian negotiators with safe diplomatic space at a time when talks in the region faced serious risks.

According to the article, Pakistan’s efforts helped create the conditions for the highest-level US-Iran talks since 1979.

The magazine also noted that after the United States withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement, European countries failed to provide Iran with the promised economic benefits. As European diplomatic influence became limited, Pakistan emerged as an important regional diplomatic centre on the Iran issue.

IPS Journal said Pakistan had used regional access, trust and relations with both sides as a source of diplomatic strength.

It also said the European Union welcomed Pakistan’s mediation efforts and stressed the need for a lasting agreement.

The article concluded that Pakistan’s role shows how regional powers are gaining greater diplomatic influence in resolving international conflicts. It described Pakistan’s efforts as an example of emerging regional centres of diplomatic influence in a multipolar world.

According to the magazine, Pakistan has chosen peace, dialogue and communication instead of taking sides, highlighting its responsible role in the current crisis.