Pakistan is pushing hard to bring Iran and the US back to the table as the truce deadline looms

Pakistan is pulling every diplomatic lever it can to bring the United States and Iran back into negotiations before their fragile ceasefire collapses. With the truce set to expire in less than 24 hours, officials in Islamabad are working around the clock to prevent a return to open conflict. The stakes are high: a breakdown in talks could trigger fresh military action in the region, disrupt global energy markets, and deepen instability across the Middle East.

Despite the urgency, confidence in a breakthrough is low. Iran's parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said over the weekend that Tehran has spent the ceasefire period preparing what he called "new cards" - a reference to potential military responses if diplomacy fails. While he didn't specify what those options are, the comment has raised alarms in Western capitals and among regional allies.

At the same time, analysts point to recent moves by the US - including naval deployments and sanctions enforcement - as factors that may be undermining Pakistan's mediation. Some say these actions, while framed as defensive, are being interpreted in Tehran as signs of bad faith. That perception, they warn, makes it harder for Iranian leaders to justify returning to talks without appearing weak.

The proposed venue for any renewed negotiations remains Islamabad, a neutral ground that both sides have accepted in past rounds. Pakistani officials have emphasized their role as a bridge between Washington and Tehran, drawing on longstanding, if complicated, ties with both nations. But their ability to deliver results is being tested like never before.

On the ground, there's little visible preparation for a major diplomatic event, suggesting that even the hosts aren't certain the talks will happen. Still, backchannel communications continue, with Pakistani envoys shuttling between regional capitals and speaking frequently with US and Iranian counterparts.

One senior diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the window for progress is narrow but not closed. "We're not out of time yet," they said. "But everyone needs to take one step toward the middle - and right now, neither side wants to move first."

If the ceasefire lapses without a new agreement, the risk of retaliatory strikes grows quickly. Energy markets are already on edge, with oil prices ticking upward in anticipation of supply disruptions. For now, the world watches Islamabad - and waits.