Iran Questions Pakistan’s Mediation Role as Hormuz Strait Talks Stall, Oil Prices Surge Amid US Tensions
Fresh tensions have emerged around the ongoing diplomatic efforts to ease the crisis in West Asia, with an Iranian lawmaker openly questioning Pakistan’s role as a mediator between Iran and the United States.
Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for Iran’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, said Pakistan may be a “good friend and neighbour” but is not suitable to act as a neutral intermediary.
In a post on X, Rezaei argued that a mediator must be completely impartial and suggested that Islamabad often appears to lean towards US positions rather than maintaining a balanced stance.
He pointed out that Pakistan rarely criticises Washington openly and claimed that important issues for Iran—such as the situation in Lebanon and the matter of blocked Iranian assets—are not being raised strongly enough in discussions.
His remarks reflect growing unease within sections of Iran’s political establishment about how the negotiations are being handled.
These comments come at a delicate moment, as Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi continues a series of high-level diplomatic engagements aimed at keeping talks alive and preventing further escalation.
Araghchi recently travelled to Pakistan, where he held meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir.
The discussions focused on regional stability, the ongoing conflict, and the possibility of finding a negotiated path forward.
Before his Islamabad visit, Araghchi was in Oman, where he met Sultan Haitham bin Tariq. Oman has traditionally played a quiet but important role in mediating regional tensions.
Talks there reportedly centred on the situation around the Strait of Hormuz and broader negotiations between Iran and the United States.
Araghchi is expected to continue his diplomatic outreach with a visit to Russia, underlining how multiple countries are now involved in efforts to defuse the crisis.
At the heart of the current standoff is Iran’s reported proposal to ease its control over the Strait of Hormuz—one of the world’s most critical shipping routes for oil and gas.
According to reports, Tehran has offered to reopen the Strait, but only under specific conditions.
These include the United States lifting its economic blockade on Iran, ending the ongoing conflict in the region, and postponing discussions on Iran’s nuclear programme to a later stage.
However, this proposal faces significant hurdles. Reports suggest that Donald Trump is unlikely to accept these terms.
The proposal was reportedly conveyed to Washington through Pakistan, which further explains why Iran’s internal criticism of Pakistan’s mediating role has surfaced at this time.
The US blockade remains a major sticking point. Washington has been trying to restrict Iran’s ability to sell oil internationally, cutting off a key source of revenue for Tehran.
There are also indications that the US strategy aims to pressure Iran into reducing or even halting oil production by limiting its storage and export options.
Meanwhile, Iran has been actively seeking support from global powers. Araghchi recently met Russian President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg.
According to Russian state media, Putin expressed support for Iran and said Moscow would do everything possible to help bring peace to the Middle East.
He also praised the Iranian people for what he described as their resilience and determination in defending their sovereignty.
Speaking in an interview with Iran’s state news agency, Araghchi said the meeting with Russia was an important opportunity to exchange views on how the conflict has evolved and what steps might come next.
The broader conflict, which began on February 28 involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, has now been ongoing for nearly two months.
Although a ceasefire was agreed on April 7 and later extended indefinitely, it remains fragile, with no clear long-term resolution in sight.
The impact of the crisis has been felt far beyond the region. Oil markets have reacted sharply, with prices climbing steadily as uncertainty persists.
Brent crude, the global benchmark, has risen to around $108 per barrel—nearly 50% higher than levels seen before the conflict began.
Shipping disruptions have also added to the pressure. Tankers carrying crude oil were left stranded for weeks due to the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting just how vulnerable global supply chains are to instability in the region.
As negotiations continue without a clear breakthrough, the situation remains tense. Diplomatic efforts are ongoing, but differences between Iran and the United States—along with disagreements over who should mediate—are complicating the path toward a lasting resolution.
