Analyst Eyes Pak-Turkish Pivotal Role to Defuse ME Conflict

Islamabad: The whole Middle East has been engulfed by the unfortunate war started by Israel and the United States. In retaliation to US and Israeli strikes, Iran is targeting US bases in all Gulf countries. As tensions rise, Pakistan and Turkiye are seen as key players who can help de-escalate the conflict. If the war continues, it threatens to engulf the entire region. According to Radio Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar have addressed the parliament, emphasizing Pakistan's defense pact with Saudi Arabia. Pakistan has urged Iran not to attack Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern nations that have not engaged in hostilities. Islamabad's diplomatic ties with countries in the region position it to act as a mediator. Furthermore, Pakistan can leverage Turkiye's diplomatic channels to facilitate communication with both Washington and Tehran to halt the conflict and restart negotiations. The viewpoint suggests that both Pakistan and Turkiye could collectively persuade I ran to refrain from further aggression against Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations. Additionally, Pakistan's engagement with Washington is crucial to devising a strategy to end the war. The analyst believes the US has miscalculated its approach towards Iran, particularly in anticipating a regime change or expecting public opposition against the Iranian government following Ali Khamenei's death. There is speculation that the US might not sustain the war for an extended period, as domestic anti-war protests could potentially emerge.