In a phone call with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday, Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al Khaled Al Hamad Al Sabah “fully endorsed” Pakistan’s efforts for mediation between Iran and the US, according to a statement by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
The statement said that PM Shehbaz held a phone call with the crown prince and “apprised the Kuwaiti leadership of Pakistan’s sincere diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the war in the Middle East”.
During the conversation, PM Shehbaz reiterated “strong condemnation” of the attacks on Kuwait and expressed solidarity and support for the people of the Gulf country in these challenging times, the statement said.
PM Shehbaz also offered condolences on the loss of precious lives and prayed for the recovery of the injured, it added.
“While expressing deep appreciation of the prime minister’s leadership, the crown prince of Kuwait fully endorsed Pakistan’s efforts for mediation between Iran and the US,” the statement said.
The crown prince thanked the prime minister for Pakistan’s support to Kuwait in the current crisis as well as his recent letter of solidarity addressed to the Kuwaiti leadership, according to the statement.
It added that the crown prince expressed his desire to visit Pakistan as soon as the regional situation improves.
“The prime minister thanked the crown prince and assured him that Pakistan would continue to play a constructive role for bringing peace and stability in the region,” the statement concluded.
The development comes as Pakistan has taken centre-stage in a process to mediate between the US and Iran, being carried out in collaboration with Ankara and Cairo, with officials confirming that indirect exchanges between Washington and Tehran are continuing through structured message relays, rather than direct contact.
In a post on X on Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed that “US-Iran indirect talks are taking place through messages being relayed by Pakistan”, adding that a 15-point US framework had been shared and is under Iranian deliberation, while the “brotherly countries of Turkiye and Egypt” are supporting the effort.
Islamabad, meanwhile, has emerged as the preferred venue for any initial engagement, even as the gap between the two sides remains wide, diplomats from the region told Dawn.
According to a senior regional diplomat involved in the process, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir has been key in sustaining the channel, maintaining direct contact with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and relaying positions conveyed by the US side and getting their stance.
Tehran looks at Islamabad’s role favourably because of what Iranians term its “comparatively balanced position” during the crisis and its perception as “a more reliable partner” than most of the other Muslim countries. Additionally, Field Marshal Asim Munir’s rapport with US President Donald Trump is seen in Tehran as a factor that could be helpful in opening the door for dialogue.
