Pakistan’s Diplomacy Secures US-Iran Ceasefire: Rizwan Saeed Sheikh

Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, highlighted Islamabad’s pivotal role in securing the US-Iran ceasefire, calling it “a victory of diplomacy and dialogue.”

In an interview with CNN’s Becky Anderson, Sheikh said Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts, conducted over several weeks, culminated in a successful ceasefire and initiated negotiations. “We are grateful to all sides for their confidence in Pakistan,” he added.

He acknowledged the contributions of regional and global partners, including Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Egypt, Qatar, and China. “China, from day one, urged all sides to exercise restraint and pursue diplomacy,” Sheikh said, highlighting the importance of multilateral engagement.

The ambassador emphasized that Pakistan acted as a facilitator, maintaining confidentiality to ensure the negotiations’ success. “The success of the negotiation process requires discretion. Without pressure, the chances of a decisive outcome are higher,” he explained.

Sheikh also noted Pakistan’s strong ties with Gulf states, home to approximately 5.5 million Pakistanis, which supported the diplomatic process. He expressed optimism that the ongoing efforts would foster regional peace and stability, with positive global economic and political impacts. “We hope this sincere and humble effort will prove fruitful,” he said.