By Uzma Ehtasham
At last, Pakistan’s persistent diplomatic efforts for peace have yielded a tangible reward. Iran has announced the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a decision that drew an extraordinary public thank you from President Donald Trump, who took to his social media platform to express gratitude to Pakistan, Iran, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. “Thank you Pakistan, thank you Iran, thank you Field Marshal, thank you Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif,” he wrote. In his telling, this is a splendid day for the entire world. Iran, he claimed, has agreed never again to close the strategic waterway and, with American assistance, has removed naval mines from the sea. He also thanked Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar for their support in securing peace.
According to the president, no sooner was the Strait issue resolved than he received a call from Nato, whom he told to step aside. “We need no one’s help now,” he declared. In a subsequent post, Trump asserted that Iran had accepted the Strait would never be used as a weapon against the world, and that the United States would guarantee its permanent openness. He went further, claiming that any “nuclear debris” resulting from strikes on Iran would be cleared by the US without any exchange of concessions. He also declared that Israel had been permanently prevented from launching attacks on Lebanon, and that the war with Iran was “going to end very nicely”.
On the other side, however, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, in a statement marking Army Day, warned that both the regular army and the Guards stand ready to deliver a powerful and decisive response to any possible aggression. Meanwhile, American media reports suggest Washington is prepared to release $20bn in frozen Iranian assets, in return for Tehran’s abandonment of enriched uranium. Yet Iran has reportedly rejected a US demand to transfer all its nuclear material to America. Further contentious issues are expected to be discussed in Islamabad today, in the second round of US‑Iran talks hosted by Pakistan.
It is worth noting that the mere news of the Strait’s reopening sent global petroleum prices tumbling to $83 a barrel, while stock markets rallied. Amid this hopeful atmosphere came other heartening news from the tripartite summit in Antalya, where Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was warmly received by regional leaders, and both he and Field Marshal Munir were showered with praise for Pakistan’s peacemaking role. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in spontaneous tribute, declared: “Thank you from the people, from the Field Marshal, and from me to Trump.” Addressing the Pakistani premier directly, he added: “Thank you, Shehbaz Sharif. You have stopped the war.” Erdoğan called on all parties to see the ceasefire as an opportunity for peace, insisting that diplomacy can resolve any problem.
Indeed, there are moments in diplomatic history that not only elevate national prestige but also alter the currents of global politics. In this regard, Pakistan’s success in halting a potential US‑Iran war and bringing both adversaries to the negotiating table on its soil is a diplomatic triumph resonating across the world. The latest developments – the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz through Pakistani mediation, and the resumption of US‑Iran talks – represent just such a historic phase, one that the entire world is now applauding. This is no isolated victory but a harbinger of a wider global shift whose effects will be felt for years to come.
The Strait of Hormuz is not merely a Middle Eastern waterway; it is the jugular vein of the global economy. Its closure had sent shockwaves through world markets; its reopening has brought lower oil prices and buoyant stock exchanges – clear signs that the world longs to return to peace and stability. This achievement is the direct result of Pakistan’s effective and balanced diplomacy. President Trump’s public thanks to Pakistan, its prime minister and its field marshal is an international recognition of that role. Equally, the prime minister’s expression of gratitude, on behalf of the people and state institutions of Pakistan, to President Trump is a responsible diplomatic gesture that strengthens the foundation of mutual respect and cooperation.
Pakistan has not only played a positive mediating role but has also proven itself a reliable and effective partner. There can be no doubt that the country is now assuming a key position in regional and global diplomacy. Should an Islamabad peace agreement between the United States and Iran be finalized tomorrow, it could serve as an example not only for the region but for the entire world: that the solution to conflicts lies not in war but in dialogue. Global peace, it is clear, is inseparable from economic stability. The drop in oil prices and the improvement in world markets are proof that peace has a direct bearing on prosperity.
If Pakistan can now seize this opportunity to stabilize its domestic economy, attract investment and accelerate industrial growth, this diplomatic success could well be transformed into an economic renaissance. In every respect, Pakistan has proved itself not only a responsible state but also an effective voice for global peace. The need now is to allow no blemish to tarnish this identity, and to further consolidate the principle that Pakistan safeguards its own interests while playing a positive and constructive role for the international community. Should this momentum be maintained, the day is not far when Islamabad truly becomes a hub of global diplomacy, and Pakistan is spoken of as a symbol of peace, stability and progress. Long live Pakistan.
(The writer is a public health professional, journalist, and possesses expertise in health communication, having keen interest in national and international affairs, can be reached at uzma@metro-morning.com)
