By Gloria Ogbonna
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the ongoing conflict with Iran is “very close to over,” signaling optimism that a ceasefire agreement could soon be finalized. His remarks came as a high-level Pakistani delegation led by Field Marshal Asim Munir arrived in Tehran carrying Washington’s latest ceasefire proposals.
Munir, one of the most powerful figures in Pakistan and only the second officer in the country’s history to hold the rank of field marshal, reportedly received a warm welcome from Iranian officials. After meeting with leaders in Tehran, he departed for Washington on Thursday, bringing Iran’s formal response to the U.S. proposals.
Accompanying Munir was Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, and reports suggested that senior Pakistani intelligence officials may also have been part of the delegation, though Islamabad officially confirmed only Naqvi’s participation.
Pakistan’s Expanding Diplomatic Role
While Pakistan’s civilian leadership works regional channels, Munir has taken the lead in direct mediation between Washington and Tehran. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif traveled to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday and continued to Doha, Qatar, on Thursday to rally Gulf Arab support for de-escalation. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is scheduled to attend the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey, where he is expected to meet with top diplomats from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey to discuss the crisis.
Analysts say Pakistan’s unique positioning has made it an effective intermediary. Munir has cultivated a notably strong personal relationship with President Trump, forged in part during U.S.-backed efforts last year to help ease tensions between Pakistan and India. Trump has publicly praised Munir as a “great fighter,” an “exceptional human being,” and even “my favorite field marshal.”
That personal rapport appears to have translated into diplomatic trust. According to Charles Lyons-Jones of the Lowy Institute, Pakistan may be the only country in the region that simultaneously maintains solid ties with Iran, the Gulf states, and the United States — a rare balancing act that has positioned Islamabad as a central mediator.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that “several messages have been exchanged through Pakistan” following the collapse of direct U.S.-Iran talks in Islamabad last weekend, underscoring Pakistan’s growing importance in the negotiation process.
White House Optimism
At the White House, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt praised Pakistan’s efforts, calling its role “incredible” and emphasizing that Washington feels encouraged about the direction of talks.
“The Pakistanis have been incredible mediators throughout this process,” Leavitt said. “We really appreciate their friendship and their efforts to bring this deal to a close. They are the only mediator in this negotiation.”
In a televised interview with Fox News host Maria Bartiromo, Trump reiterated his confidence that the conflict is nearing resolution.
“If I pulled up stakes right now, it would take them 20 years to rebuild that country,” Trump said, referencing the impact of sustained military and economic pressure on Iran. “And we’re not finished. We’ll see what happens. I think they want to make a deal very badly.”
On Thursday afternoon, Trump went even further, saying he would consider traveling personally to Pakistan if a final agreement is signed there.
“Pakistan has been great. They’ve been so good,” Trump said. “If the deal is signed in Islamabad, I might go. The field marshal has been great. The prime minister has been really great in Pakistan, so I might go. They want me to go.”
Negotiations Continue Behind Closed Doors
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry confirmed Thursday that the United States and Iran remain in active discussions about scheduling another round of negotiations, though no date has yet been finalized.
Spokesman Tahir Andrabi emphasized the importance of discretion.
“As a mediator, it’s important for us to keep the talks confidential,” Andrabi said. “We had the details and information of the talks entrusted to us by the negotiating parties.”
Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, reinforced Islamabad’s central role, declaring that Tehran trusts Pakistan as the sole venue for continued discussions.
“We will do talks in Pakistan and nowhere else, because we trust Pakistan,” Moghadam said from Islamabad on Thursday.
A Potential Diplomatic Breakthrough
With Pakistan shuttling proposals between capitals and regional leaders mobilizing support, momentum appears to be building toward a possible breakthrough. Trump’s declaration that the conflict is “very close to over” reflects growing confidence within the administration that sustained military pressure combined with third-party mediation may finally yield a durable ceasefire.
Still, key details remain unresolved, including the final structure of any agreement and the timeline for formal negotiations. For now, Pakistan’s behind-the-scenes diplomacy — led by Field Marshal Munir — has emerged as the pivotal channel through which Washington and Tehran are attempting to bring a volatile standoff to an end.
Source Breitbart