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By News Desk

ISLAMABAD / TEHRAN — In an explicit sign of diplomatic desperation to avert a total collapse of Middle East peace negotiations, U.S. President Donald Trump personally phoned Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, begging Islamabad to use its leverage to pull Iran back to the bargaining table.

According to Pakistani government sources cited by Reuters and reported by The Times of Israel, Trump personally initiated the unannounced phone call. The outreach came as Field Marshal Munir prepared to lead a high-stakes diplomatic mission to Tehran.

Desperate Push Amid Economic Threat

Washington’s urgent appeal to Pakistan comes as U.S. policy faces mounting hurdles and escalating regional risks:

• Urgent Outreach to Islamabad: Struggling to establish direct traction with Tehran following the breakdown of a 60-day interim framework, the White House turned to Pakistan as a primary mediator.
• Impending Sanctions Deadline: The frantic outreach follows Trump’s recent ultimatum warning that Washington would unleash what he termed the “most crushing economic operation” against Iran and its trading partners if diplomatic talks remain stalled.
• Mediator Delegation: Field Marshal Munir arrived in the Iranian capital accompanied by Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. The delegation is scheduled for high-level meetings with key leaders close to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, as well as President Masoud Pezeshkian.

High Tensions Over the Strait of Hormuz

The frantic diplomatic push reflects growing concern over regional stability and global energy security:

• Shipping Gridlock: The standstill in negotiations has left commercial transit through the strategic Strait of Hormuz severely disrupted, threatening global supply lines.
• Addressing the Trust Deficit: Officials acknowledged a severe “trust deficit” between Washington and Tehran, with Pakistan attempting to bridge the divide before broader military conflict or total trade blockades take hold.

While the White House Press Office declined to immediately comment on the private conversation, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed Munir’s arrival, framing the summit around urgent regional peace and bilateral security initiatives.