https://arab.news/y2ua2
Israel surprisingly struck close to the Pakistan Embassy in Tehran on Thursday. This was not by chance. The area near the embassy was hit because Pakistan is trying to play a role in ending the war and, obviously, Israel does not want that to happen. The US last week delivered a 15-point plan to Iran via Islamabad.
After the decapitation of its leadership in the opening days of the war, Iran’s position hardened. It did not back down. Of course, backing down in the face of those assassinations would have been an admission of defeat. Both the US and Iran are in a tough position and need an off-ramp — a graceful exit — and this is where effective mediation is needed.
Pakistan is today playing the role of the conveyor. It delivers messages between the two sides. This is not enough to reach a solution and bring an end to the war. Effective mediation is needed. For mediation to work, a mediator needs to be empowered. The mediator needs to have leverage on both sides. Pakistan has good relations with both countries but does not have significant leverage on either.
Both the US and Iran need an off-ramp — a graceful exit — and this is where effective mediation is needed
