Asim Munir Leads Pakistan's Iran Mediation Amidst Doubts and Self-Interest

• Pakistan's military chief, Asim Munir, is directly engaging Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to mediate the Iran crisis, positioning Pakistan as a 'safe and neutral' dialogue venue.
• Intelligence suggests Pakistan's mediation is driven by strategic self-interest, fearing instability spillover into Balochistan and the Afghan frontier, rather than genuine peacemaking.
• Economic desperation also fuels the effort, with Pakistan seeking to maintain goodwill with Gulf nations and present itself as a 'useful partner' to secure financial stability.
• Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar's shuttle diplomacy indicates a broader regional alignment, but raises questions about Pakistan's neutrality as it appears to function as a conduit for Gulf messaging.
• Pakistan also aims to counter India's growing influence in the Gulf, using mediation to reinsert itself into regional calculations and regain lost ground.