Iran–US Islamabad Talks Reflect a Strategic Pause Not Collapse

No, the Iran–United States talks have not failed, and Pakistan has also emerged successful.

There has been a lot of noise suggesting that the negotiations have failed and that the American Vice President has returned. It is quite possible that along with this noise, some people using their usual bitter tone may come forward to taunt that Pakistan was very optimistic about these talks and now they have failed.

But the reality is that the talks have not failed, they have succeeded. Do not be misled by the dust being stirred. Look at the situation with patience, seriousness, and composure: Pakistan has succeeded and stands today just as dignified and successful as it did yesterday. Pakistan’s achievements in this process are both significant and meaningful.

Even in a village, when two hostile families sit together, sometimes the ice does not melt in the first meeting. Occasionally it does, but often it takes time for things to change. Here, we are talking about two states. If everything could not be resolved in the first meeting, what is there to worry about? Why be disappointed?

Consider what happened at the end of the talks. The United States said that Iran did not accept its position, but it has left its proposal on the table for Iran. What did Iran say? Iran stated that it has presented its position, and now the ball is in the American court.

Think further! What does this mean?
First, it means the talks are not over, they are ongoing. Offers are being made, responses are awaited and the door for dialogue remains open.

Second, it means both sides have listened to each other and presented their viewpoints. The matter is complex. Now both parties will return to their respective countries, consult their leadership, and engage their domestic audiences. Before any final decision, they will try to bring their people on board to some extent. This is completely natural. 

When negotiating parties have been in deep hostility not just for years but for decades, they cannot suddenly resolve everything. Doing so risks a domestic backlash. Such processes must move gradually, with public support built along the way.

You can understand it like this: just as in war, when things are not working out, a face-saving exit is often needed, the same applies to negotiations. Temporary pauses, delays and conditional positions in talks can also serve as mechanisms for face-saving, helping avoid domestic backlash.

Sometimes, both sides feel that if too much progress is made in the very first meeting, it may not be appropriate, as it can clash with their sense of pride and dignity. This can lead to a temporary pause in negotiations. Then what happens? The same thing that happens during ceasefires—intermediaries step in, make appeals, and both sides soften their positions, accepting those appeals while preserving their pride and national honor. In this way, face-saving is achieved.
The same seems to have happened here. 

The first round of talks has taken place. The two sides sat face to face and spoke, even with a regime that U.S was claiming to change with its power. The offer still stands, and the ball is still in the other side’s court. And when the ball is in the court, it is still within the field, it has not gone out. That means the game is not over. The game continues and hope has increased.

During this time, Pakistan has also taken an important step. During the negotiations, it deployed its military contingent in Saudi Arabia. Iran acknowledges the sincerity and goodwill Pakistan demonstrated during the talks. With Pakistani forces present in Saudi Arabia, even if tensions escalate, an Iranian attack on Saudi Arabia is unlikely.
If such an attack does not happen, then the conspiracy to turn this into a war between Arab and Ajam (non-Arab) worlds will fail. In this sense, Pakistan has played a crucial role in preventing such a scenario and has done so with great effort.

The sequence of events suggests that there was a strong desire somewhere to turn this conflict into an Iran–Arab war. That did not happen, and if it did not happen, it is because of Pakistan.