By The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD -  As tensions over a potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz trigger a global energy crisis, Pakistan has stepped into a central diplomatic role, with officials confirming that Islamabad is actively mediating between the United States and Iran. A breakthrough is expected this week, according to diplomatic sources.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar has held a flurry of telephone conversations with his counterparts from around the world since Sunday, including the foreign ministers of Turkiye, Canada, Egypt, Japan, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom. He has also spoken directly with Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

The diplomatic push comes as Washington faces mounting international pressure to resolve the standoff with Tehran. Sources say the closure of the Strait of Hormuz—a chokepoint through which nearly 20% of global oil passes—created severe energy supply disruptions and spiking fuel prices worldwide.

US President Donald Trump has publicly expressed hope for reaching a deal with Iran, sources added. According to officials familiar with the negotiations, the US and Iran have exchanged peace plans through Pakistani channels, and both sides are preparing for a direct meeting in Islamabad in the coming days.

Over the past 72 hours, Senator Dar has been on a diplomatic offensive. He spoke with Iran's Araghchi, Saudi Arabia's Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Japan's Toshimitsu Motegi, Portugal's Paulo Rangel UK's Hamish Falconer, Egypt's Badr Abdelatty, Canada's Anita Anand and Turkiye's foreign minister.

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Sources familiar with the negotiations said that "this week is important" and that a breakthrough is expected soon. The direct US-Iran meeting, if it takes place in Islamabad, would mark a significant diplomatic victory for Pakistan, which has long positioned itself as a bridge between the West and the Islamic Republic.

Pakistan shares a border with Iran and has historically maintained working relationships with both Tehran and Washington, even as regional rivalries have complicated those ties.

- Why Pakistan?

Analysts point to several factors making Islamabad an ideal mediator:

1. Geographic proximity: Pakistan shares a 900-kilometer border with Iran.

2. Trusted relationships: Pakistan has maintained back-channel communications with both the US and Iran for decades.

3. Nuclear credibility: As a nuclear-armed state, Pakistan carries diplomatic weight.

4. Urgency: With global energy markets already reeling, world powers are desperate for a solution.

A closure of the Strait of Hormuz would cripple oil exports from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, the UAE, and Iran itself. The resulting energy crisis could tip the global economy into a recession. Diplomatic sources say Washington is facing "tough pressure" from allies and economic partners to reach an accommodation with Tehran.

The US and Iran have been at odds since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, with tensions spiking after Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal during his previous term. However, both sides now appear motivated to find common ground as the economic and military risks of continued confrontation escalate.

As the world watches, Islamabad has emerged as an unlikely but potentially pivotal stage for one of the most significant diplomatic efforts in years. Senator Dar's office has not confirmed any direct US-Pakistan discussions, but the sheer volume of calls with global powers suggests a major initiative is underway.

"We underscore the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to promote peace and stability," Dar's office said in a readout following his call with Canada's foreign minister.

With the week still young, diplomatic sources say the next few days could determine whether the breakthrough materializes, or whether the world edges closer to another crisis in the Strait of Hormuz.