Islamabad,(Parliament Times): Ambassador Masood Khan, former President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and former Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, has said that Pakistan is playing a constructive diplomatic role amid the escalating conflict involving Iran, maintaining communication with major capitals including Washington, Tehran and Riyadh to promote dialogue and de-escalation.
Speaking during a television interview on the evolving Middle East crisis, Ambassador Masood Khan stated that although there is speculation that the United States may consider an exit strategy from the conflict with Iran, the war appears far from over. He noted that while President Donald Trump could politically claim victory at any time, signals from the U.S. defence establishment suggest preparations for a prolonged confrontation.
He pointed out that additional military deployments, including naval assets and marine expeditionary forces, indicate that the conflict may intensify rather than conclude quickly. According to Ambassador Masood Khan, the objectives initially set by Washington—such as forcing Iran to surrender or achieving regime change—have not been realised so far.
“At the same time, there is mounting international pressure to end the war,” he said, noting that global markets have already been affected, with rising oil and gas prices causing economic instability. He also observed that Russia has benefited strategically from the situation, while European countries have expressed concerns because of the broader geopolitical implications, particularly in relation to the war in Ukraine.
Ambassador Masood Khan said that despite the ongoing military confrontation, several back-channel diplomatic initiatives are underway. Countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman are actively facilitating quiet diplomacy, while additional communication channels involving international actors continue to operate in an effort to reduce tensions.
He cautioned that the deployment of ground troops could significantly prolong the conflict, drawing parallels with previous U.S. military engagements. Referring to Iraq and Afghanistan, he noted that while military objectives in those countries were achieved rapidly at the outset, the resulting wars continued for years due to complex regional dynamics.
The Ambassador emphasised that a more sustainable approach would involve international monitoring mechanisms rather than military escalation. In this context, he suggested that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) could play a constructive role by resuming inspections of Iran’s nuclear facilities, including sites such as Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan.
He warned that further escalation—particularly attacks on major Iranian oil installations such as those on Kharg Island, which handles the majority of Iran’s oil exports—could significantly widen the conflict and destabilise the entire region.
Ambassador Masood Khan also observed that Gulf countries are currently focused on defensive measures, such as intercepting missiles and protecting their airspace, rather than participating in offensive operations against Iran.
Highlighting Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement, he said that Islamabad enjoys credibility in multiple capitals and has been facilitating communication among key stakeholders. Pakistan, he noted, is maintaining contact with Oman, which is playing an important mediating role, while Pakistan’s leadership is also engaging regional partners including Saudi Arabia.
“Pakistan’s diplomacy is guided by the principles of the United Nations Charter and aims at reducing tensions while safeguarding regional stability,” he said.
Ambassador Masood Khan concluded that Pakistan will continue to exercise a careful and balanced diplomatic approach, seeking to contribute to peace efforts while addressing the strategic and economic challenges that the ongoing conflict poses for the region.