The ongoing war against Iran has entered its thirty-second day, and along with it the tension in the region appears to be entering a new and more perilous phase, where as a result of air strikes by the United States and Israel on various Iranian cities, especially Tehran and Isfahan, powerful explosions occurred, which reflects that the war is not only prolonging but its intensity is also escalating, during which political statements, military claims and regional reactions are forming a complex and uncertain scenario.
In the past 24 hours, by considering the statements of Donald Trump and his defense minister, it becomes evident that the United States has prepared all justifications for its triumph, as Donald Trump and his minister state that they have completely destroyed Iran’s military power and now resistance from Iran is diminishing. Their objective of regime change has been achieved, all of its major leaders have been eliminated, from this it appears that the United States has completed its face-saving preparations and may exit Iran, but along with this Israel will also exert full force to annihilate Iran to such an extent that it may never be able to rise again.
The internal conditions of Iran are also rapidly transforming due to this war. According to state media, a parliamentary committee has approved the imposition of toll tax on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, which in fact is a step that could severely affect the global supply of oil and gas. Although this important waterway has practically been restricted due to the war, however this policy of Iran is a clear message to global powers that it has the capability to respond to economic pressure with economic weapons.
Meanwhile, the Iranian military, by employing its 87th wave of attacks within a month, has tried to prove that its military capability still persists, as the United States has been claiming. On the other hand, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu says that the ongoing war against Iran has achieved more than half of its objectives, however he avoided giving any final timeline for its conclusion.
According to Israel, Imam Hossein University located in Tehran was also targeted, which is considered a center for research of advanced weapons, while on the other hand the adverse effects of Iran’s attacks have also started reaching the streets of Israel, where a major explosion occurred and fire broke out due to a missile strike on the oil refinery in Haifa. The Gulf region has come under the direct effects of this war. The attack on a Kuwaiti oil tanker within UAE limits, the continued barrage of ballistic missiles in Saudi Arabia and an attack in Bahrain are clear proof that the conflict is now extending beyond borders and engulfing the entire region. In all this background, Pakistan’s foreign policy has entered a phase where its scope, activity and effectiveness appear far more prominent than in the past.
With each passing day and each coming week, new angles and dimensions of this policy are emerging, which demand that it be seen not merely as a temporary success but as an evolving strategy with continuity. It is also noteworthy that Pakistan’s active role in global politics is not new; rather, in the 1970s, Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts in the restoration of relations between the United States and China hold the status of a milestone. Similarly, whether it was the 1988 Afghanistan–Soviet Union agreement or the Doha negotiations between the Afghan Taliban and the United States in 2020, Pakistan’s behind-the-scenes role was involved in all these important developments, which would be equivalent to deviating from historical facts if ignored. In this regard, the services of eminent diplomat Jamshed are commendable, who adopted unconventional means in resolving complex international matters such as East Timor. His abilities were also acknowledged when former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan appointed him as a special representative. This appointment was not only recognition of his personal abilities but also a manifestation of Pakistan’s diplomatic credibility.
In the current global situation, where economic instability and geopolitical tension are increasing, this is an important opportunity for Pakistan to effectively utilize its diplomatic expertise. In recent days, the wave of anti-war protests around the world reflects that global public opinion is not satisfied with the military policies of major powers. Millions of people taking to the streets in various countries including the United States indicates the pressure that is increasing difficulties for policymakers. A similar kind of pressure is also being felt on US President Donald Trump; however, observers do not rule out the possibility that the situation may further deteriorate and if the United States’ points are not accepted, the scope of ground operations may also expand, as Donald Trump has already warned, because in this entire context the role of Israel is also extremely important. This impression is gaining strength that the ongoing war against Iran is in fact part of a broader strategy aimed at changing the balance of power in the region. Although it was claimed that within a few days Iran’s leadership and system would be weakened and the government would change, however ground realities are proving otherwise. This is why, according to some reports, differences have also emerged between the US and Israeli leadership on this issue, as evident from the leaked conversation between US Vice President JD Vance and Netanyahu, and the United States is creating such an environment through various claims and statements in which even a possible withdrawal against Iran can be presented as a success.
Pakistan has tried to play a balanced and active role in this tense situation. Hosting a four-nation meeting in Islamabad and diplomatic contacts with various countries indicate that Pakistan is making serious efforts for the end of the war. However, with the passage of time it is also becoming clear that the path to ceasefire is not easy and for this the concerned parties will have to show flexibility while adhering to the principle of give and take, otherwise the turbulent global situation will start becoming even worse.
