Donald Trump has said fresh US-Iran talks in Islamabad could take place within days, reinforcing Pakistan’s growing role as a mediator. Why, he says? "Because the Field Marshal is doing a great job."
From calls with Tehran and Gulf capitals to ceasefire diplomacy and marathon talks in Islamabad, Pakistan has inserted itself into the most delicate phase of the U.S.-Iran crisis and emerged as an unlikely broker of dialogue.
Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi backed Pakistan’s role in the US-Iran Islamabad Talks during a call with Shehbaz Sharif. She emphasised de-escalation and the urgent need to ensure safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Pakistan said it was still making a full diplomatic push to ease tensions between the United States and Iran after marathon talks in Islamabad ended without agreement, underscoring Islamabad’s bid to keep a fragile mediation effort from unravelling.
The Islamabad Talks were never designed to deliver an instant grand bargain between Washington and Tehran. Their significance lies in something more foundational: they preserved the ceasefire, brought both sides face to face, defined the central sticking point and opened the door to a second phase of diplomacy.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas visits Islamabad on 1 June 2026 for the 8th EU-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue, meeting Pakistan's top civilian and military leadership including Field Marshal Munir.
PSG are back-to-back Champions League champions after defeating Arsenal 4-3 on penalties in Budapest. Havertz gave Arsenal an early lead before Dembele equalised. Neither side could find a winner in 120 minutes. PSG held their nerve in the shootout. The Thursday Times reports.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said a true friendship is growing between Washington and Pakistan, calling its mediation role an unexpected development and praising Field Marshal Munir and PM Shehbaz Sharif directly.
Trump posted US-Iran deal terms from the Situation Room on 29 May. Strait of Hormuz to open. Blockade lifted. Nuclear material to be destroyed. Final determination pending. Pakistan's Ishaq Dar was in Washington meeting Rubio at the same moment. The Thursday Times reports.
Iran's Tasnim News Agency signalled a US-Iran deal may be close, crediting Pakistan's effective efforts. President Pezeshkian also praised Pakistan in an Eid call with PM Shehbaz Sharif.