Why Pakistan is key in the US-Israel war on Iran

This episode of The Take explores Pakistan's emerging role as a pivotal mediator in the escalating U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, amid a broader regional crisis. Host Kevin Hurtin and senior Al Jazeera correspondent Osama bin Javed examine how Pakistan’s military and diplomatic leadership are attempting to broker a two-tiered peace plan—ceasefire followed by a comprehensive agreement—despite deep mistrust between Tehran and Washington. The episode highlights the fragility of this diplomatic effort, underscored by Israel’s continued attacks on Iranian infrastructure like the South Pars gas field, which risks triggering wider regional escalation. Simultaneously, the show delves into Pakistan’s deteriorating relationship with the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan, where a hardening stance—epitomized by the chilling assertion that 'only good Taliban is a dead Taliban'—has replaced years of strategic patronage. This shift reflects growing domestic pressure and security concerns, especially as cross-border attacks and insurgencies in Balochistan and the Pashtun regions intensify. Amid economic turmoil, energy dependence on the Gulf, and a population crisis, Pakistan is navigating a precarious balancing act across multiple fronts, relying on diplomacy as its primary tool for survival—though violence increasingly dominates its security strategy. The episode underscores a paradox: Pakistan, a nation under immense internal and external pressure, is being called upon to stabilize a region on the brink of wider war. While its unique geopolitical position—linking Iran, Saudi Arabia, China, and the West—gives it leverage, its ability to deliver peace remains uncertain. The U.S. deadline-driven diplomacy, Israel’s refusal to de-escalate, and Iran’s hardened stance all threaten to derail even the most promising talks. Yet, as the host notes, Pakistan sees opportunity in crisis, using its diplomatic channels to secure energy supplies, attract investment, and maintain influence. The takeaway is clear: in a region where war and diplomacy are inseparable, Pakistan’s survival may depend not on military strength, but on its capacity to mediate the unmediatable.