What had begun with Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, not only resulted in the complete destruction of Gaza and the deaths of almost 100,000 Palestinians, with uncounted bodies buried under the rubble and thousands more seriously wounded; it ultimately led to a bigger conflict, seriously threatening global peace and the economy. The United States and Israel launched coordinated military attacks on Iran on February 28, 2026, initiating a significant conflict with ongoing strikes and counterstrikes. Known as “Operation Epic Fury” by the US, the campaign targeted Iranian military assets, nuclear and missile facilities, and leadership for regime change, with intensive bombing continuing through early April 2026, meeting partial success.

However, Iran’s perseverance, courage, national cohesion and unexpected retaliation capabilities shocked the invaders. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz significantly increased global oil prices, sending international stock exchanges into a tailspin and hard-hitting the global economic system. Iran’s retaliatory strikes against declared targets in Gulf states such as Qatar, Bahrain, the UAE, Kuwait and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia further widened the gulf between Iran and the Arab world. As a result, the entire Middle East is on the boil, and the economies of Gulf states have been badly mauled, with faith shaken in the American security umbrella. American bases in these countries became justification for Iran to launch drone and missile strikes initially against US military targets, which later expanded to attacks on American and Israeli banks, software houses, and petrochemical industries and complexes.

Throughout the conflict, showing greater pride in Persian nationalism and faith, Iran remained fearless in attacking targets inside Israel, Gulf states and against American military assets in the Gulf, including its two aircraft carriers, badly bruising the American ego. The volatile situation in the Middle East brought the world to the brink of another great war, with the potential to spiral out of control, reminding many of the Pearl Harbour attack by Japan and the subsequent strategic bombing of Tokyo, followed by the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. Pakistan’s prime minister, foreign minister and chief of defence staff/army chief made hectic diplomatic efforts to create a reconciliatory mood, first among Muslim countries, particularly Iran and the Gulf states, and then between Iran and the USA. These efforts had begun to gain some traction, with positive signals from all sides.

However, on the afternoon of April 7, 2026, Pakistan’s peace efforts suffered a serious jolt after Iran’s attack on a petrochemical complex in Saudi Arabia, followed by a telephone conversation between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistan’s prime minister, and a special Corps Commanders’ Conference, culminating in a press statement by the Pakistani government condemning Iran’s attack and reaffirming solidarity with Saudi Arabia. At the same time, President Trump’s repeated threats of wiping out entire civilisations through unprecedented military strikes further inflamed tensions. Consequently, a jubilant Iran, perhaps sensing victory, announced its refusal to continue indirect talks with the USA, casting doubt on the success of Pakistan’s mediation.

In such a mutually assured destructive environment, Pakistan’s diplomatic initiative, along with Turkiye, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, with China on board, was the only sane step. Pakistan’s sincere and sustained efforts to act as a go-between for the USA and Iran finally offered a ray of hope for a phased cessation of hostilities. A two-week ceasefire agreed between the USA/Israel and Iran not only brought a sense of relief to Pakistan’s leadership and people but also to the wider region and the world. Pakistan had to walk a tightrope to maintain balance in its relations with all parties involved. Securing agreement on multiple points for a ceasefire must have required careful coordination and collective wisdom from Pakistan, Turkiye, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and China, as well as from a war-weary Iran and a USA seeking de-escalation.

Nevertheless, in such an impasse, much depended on Pakistan’s commitment to preventing wider destruction, which thankfully led to a cessation of hostilities on the evening of April 7, 2026. For the record, this occurred at a time when the United Nations appeared helpless, much like the defunct League of Nations, with Russia preoccupied in Ukraine and Gaza pushed into the background. The most alarming outcome of failure could have been massive US strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, bridges and oil infrastructure, with consequences unlikely to remain confined to Iran but instead engulfing the entire region.

One can only hope that sanity will prevail to end this madness permanently. Pakistan has played a mature and responsible role, befitting a nuclear-armed state, and this will hopefully be remembered by Iran, its supporters in Pakistan, the Gulf countries, and the USA. Well done, Pakistan!

Saleem Qamar ButtThe writer is a retired senior army officer with experience in international relations, military diplomacy and analysis of geo-political and strategic security issues.

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