US intelligence agencies have expressed concerns regarding Pakistan’s role in peace negotiations after discovering that the country’s main mediator has stronger ties to Iran than previously known.
Asim Munir, Pakistan’s military leader, who was commended by US President Donald Trump, has connections to two prominent Iranian military figures targeted by the US. These individuals include Major General Qasem Solemeini, the former head of the secretive Quds Force, who was assassinated in Baghdad in 2020, and former military chief Hossein Salami, who was killed last year.
Reports indicate that Munir had established “close personal relationships” with both figures, potentially posing a “risk” to the United States. There are suspicions that the delay in peace talks could be a tactic by Iran to allow the US to deploy additional military assets to the region.
This development comes amidst escalating tensions in the Gulf region, with three ships facing attacks backed by Tehran, leading to the seizure of two vessels escorted back to Iran.
Sources have highlighted Pakistan’s eagerness to mediate in the talks but emphasized the importance of ensuring impartiality among all parties involved. Concerns have been raised about potential biases due to connections with the IRGC and the Quds Force, which could sway the negotiations in favor of Iran.
The strained relations have complicated the peace talks, with a lack of trust between the opposing sides. Meanwhile, Israel is closely monitoring the situation and may take advantage of any resumption of hostilities to weaken Iran’s military capabilities further.
Iran perceives the US’s actions as a strategy to strengthen its military presence in the region, leading to a pause in peace talks in Pakistan and the postponement of US Vice President JD Vance’s visit to Islamabad.
President Trump extended the ceasefire deadline beyond its original expiration date, citing requests from Munir and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to hold off on attacking Iran until a peace proposal is presented.
Tensions remain high in the Gulf, with multiple ships targeted by Iran’s IRGC, and the US maintaining a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. Recent incidents include attacks on vessels like the Epaminondas and Euphoria, with some ships being directed towards Iran.
The conflict with Iran has persisted for seven weeks, causing ripple effects in Lebanon, where a fragile ceasefire is in place. The current ceasefire, initiated at Trump’s urging and agreed to by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is subject to extension by mutual agreement.
The Israel Defense Force has been actively targeting Hezbollah leaders and infrastructure to prevent future attacks. Israelis are keen to neutralize Hezbollah’s threat for the foreseeable future.
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