Newshour Talks under way in Pakistan to end Middle East war
Mar 29, 2026
Jonathan Head, BBC Southeast Asia correspondent reporting on fuel shortages in Myanmar and the region, and James Lynch, a human rights expert on the Gulf, discuss Pakistan's mediation role in US–Iran talks. They cover long petrol queues and rationing in Southeast Asia. They also examine arrests and restrictions on social media across Gulf states.
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Pakistan's Strategic Mediator Role
- Pakistan is uniquely positioned as mediator because it has strong ties to both Iran and the United States.
- Malia Lodi highlights General Asim Munir's close relationship with Donald Trump and Pakistan's shared 900km border with Iran as reasons Pakistan was asked to host talks.
Gulf Infrastructure Is Increasingly Targeted
- Recent attacks across the Gulf are widening the conflict beyond Iran and Israel, hitting infrastructure in the UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait.
- Carrie Davis reports Iran's strikes have targeted airports and aluminium plants, and explosions were heard in Tehran overnight.
Distrust Undermines Diplomatic Openings
- Deep mistrust complicates diplomacy because Iranian leaders publicly denounce talks as a cover for invasion.
- Malia Lodi and Carrie Davis note Iranian statements and past negotiation experiences make Tehran sceptical even as Pakistan relays messages.