ISLAMABAD: Qatar played an “important role” in securing a peace deal between the United States and Iran, a senior Pakistani security official with direct knowledge of the development said on Tuesday, as Islamabad gears up to host the official signing of the peace agreement in Switzerland this week.
The US and Iran both confirmed reaching an agreement to end their months-long war. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Monday that Islamabad will host the historic peace deal signing ceremony in Switzerland on Jun. 19.
International media outlets have extensively reported on Qatar’s behind-the-scenes mediation efforts between the US and Iran in recent months. The reports spoke about Doha maintaining communication channels with Tehran, sending negotiators to Iran and helping build the understanding that culminated in the framework agreement to end the war.
“Qatar played an important role. It deserves credit,” the security official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told media representatives in Islamabad when asked about Doha’s last-minute efforts to secure the deal.
The official also credited Egypt, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia, among other regional countries, for supporting the peace process.
“Saudi Arabia also deserves a great deal of credit for helping bring this war to an end,” the official said. “The patience and restraint demonstrated by Saudi Arabia have been remarkable.”
The official said Saudi Arabia chose not to respond to Iranian attacks. Rather, the Kingdom demonstrated strategic wisdom and provided guidance aimed at achieving peace, he said.
Sharif told lawmakers in televised remarks on Monday that the peace talks will be held in Geneva. However, another official with direct knowledge of the development said Pakistan will host the signing ceremony in the Swiss resort town of Burgenstock.
’CONFLICT WITHIN MUSLIM WORLD’
Pakistan has been mediating between the US and Iran since the war began this year. Islamabad hosted the first round of direct talks between both sides in April that was also attended by US Vice President JD Vance.
Over the course of several months, Pakistan exchanged messages and peace proposals between Washington and Tehran in hopes of ending the conflict.
The official stressed that Sharif, his deputy Ishaq Dar and Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir played a key role in preventing hostilities from breaking out again.
“Had Pakistan not helped broker an understanding between the United States and Iran, there could have been conflict within the Muslim world,” the official said.
He praised Munir for his peace efforts, saying that the Pakistani defense chief “won this battle without engaging in combat.”
The official said several “spoilers and detractors” sought to derail the peace process, because of which Pakistan avoided discussing the peace negotiations in public.
“Even when reports were emerging that the negotiations had reached a deadlock, we knew that a successful outcome was very close,” the official said.
“However, we remained silent because our sole objective was the success of the negotiations, not headline diplomacy or media attention.”
When asked whether Pakistan has sought any concessions for itself during the talks, particularly on the Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline which has suffered delays over sanctions fears, the official denied it.
“Peace, security and regional stability were the only objectives, as peace is essential for everyone, including Pakistan,” he said.
Speaking to a government body in Islamabad on Tuesday afternoon, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi spoke about the Pakistani military chief’s role in helping broker peace. He said many countries wanted to mediate between the US and Iran.
However, he said Washington, Tehran and other regional allies had complete trust in only Munir. Naqvi said Sharif acted as the “leader” of Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts while Munir acted as “captain.”
Naqvi, who visited Iran multiple times over the past few months to discuss regional tensions, said Munir had spoken in a “stern” manner to both US and Iran officials during various discussions.
“Both sides knew this person was honest and was speaking the truth, so they trusted him more,” Naqvi said.
“And that is why this result was achieved.”
