How Pakistan won over Trump to become an unlikely mediator in the Iran war

Pakistan has emerged as an unexpected mediator between the United States and Iran, leveraging its geographical proximity to Iran, absence of US military bases, and strong relationship with President Trump, who frequently praises Pakistani Field Marshal Asim Munir. The country has significant economic motivations for pursuing de-escalation, as it depends heavily on oil imports passing through the Strait of Hormuz and has already raised fuel prices by 20% while implementing conservation measures. However, Pakistan faces considerable risks in this role, including potential obligations under its defense pact with Saudi Arabia, domestic pro-Iran sentiment that has already sparked deadly protests, and ongoing conflicts with both Afghanistan and India.