Iran War: Pakistan the peace broker

This episode of 'From Our Own Correspondent' explores the evolving diplomatic role of Pakistan in mediating between Iran and the United States amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. Despite its fragile economy and complex regional history, Pakistan has emerged as a key backchannel broker, hosting high-stakes talks in Islamabad amid global anticipation. The episode captures the atmosphere of suspense and national pride in Pakistan, where the city was temporarily shut down for security, while journalists and analysts waited for breakthroughs. Meanwhile, on the Iran-Turkey border, BBC Persian's Omid Monteseri documents a profound shift in public sentiment—once supportive of the war, many Iranians now express despair, anger, and a sense of societal collapse, with civilians calling for leaders to lay down arms. The episode also covers the long-term human and environmental toll of the Chernobyl disaster through the story of Alexander Demidoff, a pioneering DJ who kept morale alive in the evacuated city of Slavutich. In Kenya’s Turkana region, a new drought follows years of crisis, leaving communities on the brink of starvation, while in Paraguay’s Gran Chaco, the legacy of a forgotten war and ongoing ecological threats from soy expansion reveal deep social and environmental fractures. Together, these stories paint a picture of resilience, loss, and the fragile hope for peace amid global instability.