Washington: US Vice President JD Vance has been actively engaging with Pakistani intermediaries in an effort to de-escalate the ongoing conflict with Iran, according to a source familiar with the discussions.
The outreach, which continued as recently as Tuesday, signals Vance’s expanding role in backchannel diplomacy as the United States seeks to broker a ceasefire. Acting on the direction of President Donald Trump, Vance reportedly conveyed that Washington remains open to a truce—but only if key US conditions are met.
Among the primary demands is the reopening of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil shipments that has seen severe disruption amid the conflict.
At the same time, Vance delivered what sources described as a “stern message” from Trump, making it clear that the US President is growing increasingly impatient. He warned that failure to reach an agreement could result in intensified pressure on Iran, including potential strikes targeting key infrastructure.
Pakistan has emerged as a crucial intermediary in these negotiations, facilitating communication between Washington and Tehran as tensions remain high.
Now in its fifth week, the conflict has drawn increasing international concern. Vance has taken on a more prominent diplomatic role in recent days, reflecting both his rising political stature and his cautious stance on prolonged US military involvement abroad. Widely seen as a potential successor to Trump in the 2028 presidential race, Vance has consistently advocated restraint while pursuing diplomatic solutions.
Meanwhile, Trump has reiterated that the US is prepared to act militarily if necessary. However, he has temporarily held off on authorising strikes on Iran’s power grid, setting an informal deadline of April 6 to allow space for negotiations to succeed.
The coming days are expected to be critical as diplomatic efforts intensify, with the possibility of either a breakthrough agreement or further escalation in the region.