HELSINGBORG, SWEDEN May 22, 2026 — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday highlighted Pakistan as Washington’s main channel for talks aimed at ending the conflict with Iran, describing Islamabad’s efforts as “admirable” amid a fragile ceasefire.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Helsingborg, Sweden, Rubio confirmed ongoing high-level coordination with Pakistan as Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan’s army chief, traveled to Tehran for mediation talks.
“The primary interlocutor on this has been Pakistan and they’ve done an admirable job,” Rubio said. “We’ve been working with them on all of this and that will remain the case.”
Rubio noted “slight progress” or “some progress” in the negotiations but tempered expectations, stating, “We’re not there yet.” He added that President Donald Trump remains prepared to pursue other options if a comprehensive deal cannot be reached.
The comments come as Pakistan’s military leadership engages directly with Iranian officials to bridge gaps between Washington and Tehran. Key issues include reopening the Strait of Hormuz — a critical global oil shipping route severely disrupted by the conflict — limiting Iran’s nuclear program, and establishing a broader peace framework.
Pakistan has emerged as a key go-between, leveraging its relationships with both sides. Munir’s visit to Tehran represents the latest round of shuttle diplomacy in recent days.
Rubio also discussed NATO’s potential role in securing the Strait of Hormuz once hostilities fully subside and reiterated concerns about burden-sharing within the alliance.
The fragile ceasefire has held tenuously following earlier U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets earlier this year, which prompted Iranian retaliation that disrupted maritime traffic in the Gulf.
This development underscores the Trump administration’s preference for diplomatic off-ramps while keeping military options on the table. Progress remains incremental, with significant challenges ahead in reaching a lasting agreement.
This is a developing story.
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