Islamabad, (By Aamir Miraj): Pakistan’s efforts to mediate between the United States and Iran continued on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, even as U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian President **Masoud Pezeshkian exchanged sharply contrasting messages over the conflict.
Pakistan has been working to bring Washington and Tehran back toward negotiations, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif saying Islamabad remains determined to help de-escalate the conflict. Sharif described Pakistan as a sincere and honest mediator between the United States and its neighboring country Iran.
The United Nations has also acknowledged Pakistan’s mediation efforts. A UN spokesperson said Secretary-General António Guterres was appreciative of Pakistan’s role and described its efforts to mediate between Washington and Tehran as critical.
Trump Issues Warning at UN
The diplomatic push, however, has coincided with renewed warnings from both Washington and Tehran.
In his UN General Assembly address, President Donald Trump warned that Iran could face devastating consequences if a deal to end the conflict was not reached. Trump said he faced a choice between reaching an agreement with Tehran and taking further action against Iran.
The warning came despite renewed diplomatic contacts between American and Iranian representatives in New York. Trump later said U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner had held a lengthy meeting with an Iranian delegation and described the discussions positively.
Pezeshkian Rejects Pressure
Speaking at the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, Pezeshkian rejected what he described as U.S. pressure and said Iran would not surrender.
At the same time, the Iranian president said Tehran remained committed to diplomacy and negotiations, provided they were not conducted under what he described as a language of force.
Pezeshkian also addressed the Strait of Hormuz, arguing that Iran could not accept a situation in which other countries benefited from the waterway while Iran was denied access to shipping.
Pakistan Keeps Diplomatic Channel Open
Pakistan’s mediation efforts have continued as the two sides remain divided over the terms of any potential settlement.
Diplomatic reporting indicates that Qatar, Pakistan and other regional actors have been involved in efforts to facilitate communication between Washington and Tehran. Pakistan has also been working through its own channel with Iranian officials, while Qatar has played a role in shuttle diplomacy in New York.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan had not lost hope despite setbacks following the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, which involved efforts to establish a framework for de-escalation between the United States and Iran. He said Islamabad remained “absolutely determined” to make further progress.
Diplomacy and Warnings Continue Side by Side
The latest developments highlight the difficult balance between diplomacy and military rhetoric.
While U.S. and Iranian representatives have resumed indirect contacts, both Trump and Pezeshkian have maintained firm positions in their public statements. Iran has warned that any renewed U.S. attack would trigger a stronger response, while Trump has continued to press Tehran for an agreement.
For Pakistan, the immediate objective remains keeping dialogue alive and preventing further escalation. Islamabad has emphasized that diplomacy and sustained engagement are necessary for a peaceful resolution, while the UN has expressed support for the mediation efforts.
The latest exchange at the UNGA therefore comes at a critical point: diplomatic channels remain open, but the public warnings from Washington and Tehran show that major differences have yet to be resolved.
