Pakistan as Gulf backchannel

The article reports that both the United States (a 15‑point plan) and Iran (a 10‑point reply) routed high‑level proposals through Pakistan, suggesting Islamabad is being used as a diplomatic intermediary in the Iran–Gulf crisis. If true, Pakistan’s role shifts it from a peripheral actor to a strategic conduit whose posture and credibility could materially affect crisis outcomes and escalation risks. — Recognizing Pakistan as an active backchannel reframes who has leverage in de‑escalation and makes Islamabad a potential pressure point or buffer in any Gulf energy confrontation.