Pakistan's high-stakes Iran peace bid is fraught with risk

Pakistan is under huge pressure to pull off what some diplomats regard as mission impossible: broker a peace deal between Iran and the United States to stabilize the world economy while safeguarding delegates already arguing over a fragile truce.



Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif engaged in weeks of diplomacy to halt a war that could deepen instability along Pakistan's western border with Iran and Afghanistan, with which it has recently exchanged fire.



Authorities effectively locked down parts of the capital Islamabad on Thursday as Iranian officials flew in, with the U.S. delegation, led by Vice President JD Vance, arriving on Friday.



Once they have brought Washington and Tehran to the negotiating table on Saturday, the Pakistani officials will try to steer the talks toward a lasting agreement, analysts say.