- By Ajeet Kumar
- Wed, 01 Apr 2026 02:53 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
- China, Pakistan propose five-point West Asia peace plan.
- Iran distrusts Pakistan, views it as US messenger.
- Tehran demands credible neutrality for peace talks.
China and Pakistan have put forward a five-point proposal to end the West Asia conflict, calling for the restoration of peace and stability in the Gulf region and safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz. However, neither the US nor Iran reacted to the proposal. This came days after Iran turned down a Pakistan-led peace proposal that media reports claimed Washington had presented 15-point to Tehran. Iran downplayed any third-party negotiations. Israel too refrained from accepting Pakistan hosting the peace talks in Islamabad, saying it doesn't have trust in it.
In short, Iran hasn’t completely rejected Pakistan, but it doesn’t fully trust it either. Tehran is engaging cautiously, signalling that any meaningful peace process will require credible neutrality, not just message-passing diplomacy.
Why Iran isn’t fully trusting Pakistan in peace talks
Seen as a messenger for the US, not neutral
Pakistan has been relaying proposals between Washington and Tehran, including a controversial 15-point US plan. This has raised doubts in Iran about whether Islamabad is acting independently or simply conveying US demands.
Close ties with the Trump administration
Pakistan’s improving relations with Trump create suspicion in Tehran that it may tilt toward US interests, undermining its credibility as a neutral mediator.
Trust deficit in diplomacy
The Iranian leadership has repeatedly stressed that “trust is essential” for talks. Given past experiences with negotiations, Tehran is cautious about intermediaries that may not guarantee fairness.
Domestic and regional instability in Pakistan
Pakistan’s own challenges, including tensions with Afghanistan and internal security issues, are seen as weakening its ability to play a stable, reliable diplomatic role.
Conflicting interests in the region
Pakistan maintains ties with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, which often oppose Iran. This balancing act makes Tehran question whether Islamabad can truly represent its concerns.