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PAKISTAN PERSPECTIVE
US-IRAN TALKS WRAP UP IN DOHA: 'PROGRESS' ON HORMUZ, WAR ON HOLD
DOMINANT ANGLE
Islamabad showcases its role as a leading co-mediator: the framework agreement bears the name of Pakistan's capital, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms 'positive progress' following the Doha talks.
Dominant angle identified — does not reflect unanimity of this country’s media
ANALYSIS
Islamabad/Doha, July 3, 2026. Pakistan has positioned itself as an active co-mediator in the second round of indirect talks between the US and Iran, concluded on Wednesday in Doha. Alongside Qatar, Islamabad facilitated separate meetings with both delegations, focusing on commercial navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the release of frozen Iranian assets.
Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a joint statement with Doha, confirming 'positive progress' on issues related to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), building on the results of the Lucerne Summit. The next meeting will be planned after the funeral of former Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei, scheduled for July 9.
The June framework agreement, to which Pakistan contributed alongside Qatar, provides for a 60-day ceasefire and a 14-point roadmap for a definitive settlement of the conflict triggered by US-Israeli strikes in February. This memorandum is named after Pakistan's capital, a tangible marker of the diplomatic recognition granted to Islamabad.
In Doha, Iranian Deputy Minister Kazem Gharibabadi announced the creation of a communication channel to record violations of the memorandum. He also discussed frozen assets: both parties agreed that essential goods for Iran would be purchased with an initial $6 billion tranche.
The talks remained technical: Iran's nuclear program was not addressed, according to sources close to the negotiations, despite Trump's statements that 'Iran's denuclearization is progressing well.' Vice President Vance acknowledged that this issue would be addressed 'later.' Envoys Kushner and Witkoff, initially announced for 'high-level' exchanges, did not participate in the discussions.
For Islamabad, these talks represent a dual gain: diplomatic, by consolidating its status as a recognized mediator between two tense powers; and strategic, as any destabilization of the Strait of Hormuz directly affects the vital energy supply routes for Pakistan. The next steps in the process – including the opening of the nuclear dossier – will depend on the schedule set after Iran's official mourning period.
KEY POINTS
- Pakistan and Qatar co-facilitated separate US-Iran meetings in Doha on July 2-3, resulting in a joint statement citing 'positive progress' on the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding
- The June agreement, known as the 'Islamabad Memorandum,' provides for a 60-day ceasefire and a 14-point roadmap, as well as the use of an initial $6 billion tranche of frozen Iranian assets
- Iran's nuclear program was not discussed during these technical talks, according to sources close to the negotiations, despite public statements by Trump
COGNITIVE BIASES IDENTIFIED
Mediator-centric framing: Pakistani media prioritizes Islamabad's role in the process, at the expense of an in-depth analysis of the positions of the directly involved parties
Preference for a soothing narrative: the emphasis on 'positive progress' and diplomatic continuity downplays the persistent points of friction between the US and Iran
Limited coverage of contradictory statements: the gap between Trump's public assertions on denuclearization and information from anonymous sources is barely analyzed
SOURCES (3)
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