Islamabad quietly facilitated communications between Washington and Tehran in the days leading up to and following Iran’s direct attack on Israel on April 13th, according to Pakistani and U.S. Diplomatic sources. The channel, confirmed by multiple officials speaking on background, mirrors a similar role Pakistan played in 2022 during a period of heightened tensions between the two countries.
The current mediation effort began in earnest following the Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus on April 1st, which killed several Iranian military officials. U.S. Officials, through Pakistani intermediaries, reportedly conveyed to Iran that while they did not believe Iran should retaliate, Washington would be prepared to de-escalate should a response occur that did not directly target U.S. Assets or personnel. This messaging was intended to provide Iran with an off-ramp while signaling U.S. Resolve.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has not issued a public statement directly acknowledging its role, maintaining a position of cautious neutrality. However, a senior Pakistani official confirmed that Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had been in contact with both U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in the weeks preceding the attack. The official, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the discussions, stated that Pakistan offered its “good offices” to prevent further escalation.
The 2022 instance of Pakistani mediation involved attempts to revive the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the Iran nuclear deal. At that time, Pakistan facilitated indirect talks between U.S. Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley and Iranian officials in Muscat, Oman. While those efforts ultimately failed to yield a renewed agreement, they demonstrated Pakistan’s willingness and capacity to serve as a discreet channel for communication. Sources familiar with those talks indicated that Pakistan’s relatively strong relationships with both Iran and Saudi Arabia – relationships not burdened by the same level of historical antagonism as those of other regional actors – made it a uniquely positioned mediator.
The Biden administration has publicly stated its commitment to Israel’s security while simultaneously seeking to avoid a wider regional conflict. Following Iran’s attack, President Biden reiterated this position, emphasizing the U.S.’s support for Israel’s defense while urging restraint from all parties. The U.S. Has not publicly acknowledged Pakistan’s mediating role, but officials have privately expressed appreciation for Islamabad’s efforts.
Iran’s response, consisting of hundreds of drones and missiles, was largely intercepted by Israel’s air defense systems, with assistance from the United States, the United Kingdom and Jordan. Despite the scale of the attack, Iran signaled that it considered its response proportionate to the Damascus strike and did not intend to pursue further escalation, provided Israel refrained from retaliating.
The current situation remains volatile. Israeli officials have indicated their intention to respond to Iran’s attack, though the timing and nature of that response remain unclear. Pakistan is continuing to engage with both Washington and Tehran, urging de-escalation and offering to facilitate further communication. The Pakistani Foreign Ministry has scheduled a series of consultations with regional partners in the coming days to discuss the evolving situation.
