According to Sardar Masood Khan, former Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States, China, and the United Nations, and former President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, a direct military conflict between the United States and Iran has become a real threat as the situation has entered an “extremely tense phase,” but the recent revival of diplomatic channels offers a faint hope for de-escalation.
The veteran diplomat explained in a statement today that Washington has significantly increased its military presence in the region, adopting a posture that appears directly aimed at Tehran.
Sardar Masood Khan said that Iran has clearly signaled its intention to respond forcefully and comprehensively to any attack. This could include targeting US military installations across the region, including air bases in Qatar, naval bases in Bahrain, and US outposts in Iraq and Jordan.
Describing the rapidly evolving situation as “extremely worrisome,” he warned that the consequences of any hostility would not be confined to the primary adversaries but could engulf the entire region in a wider conflict.
However, the former President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir pointed to a limited but significant “ray of hope” that has emerged in the past 48 hours. Facilitated by mediating countries, diplomatic contacts between Washington and Tehran seem to be intensifying, with a renewed focus on a negotiated solution to the nuclear issue. He cited recent statements by Ali Larijani, a close associate of the Iranian leadership, and gestures from US President Donald Trump as evidence that diplomacy is “once again in motion.”
He stressed that an open and prolonged conflict would inflict severe political, economic, and security damage not only on Iran but also on the Gulf countries and the United States, plunging the entire region into deep instability.
Explaining the US negotiating stance, Khan recalled the four key demands presented by Washington during the talks led by Mr. Witkoff in June 2025. These included a complete cessation of uranium enrichment, the transfer of Iran’s nearly 2,000 kg stockpile of enriched uranium, strict restrictions on its missile program, particularly its ballistic and hypersonic capabilities, and the severance of ties with its allied networks in Iraq, Lebanon, and Yemen.
In response, Tehran has shown a willingness to discuss nuclear matters but has rejected any negotiations regarding its missile program and regional alliances, which it considers essential for its national security. Sardar Masood Khan emphasized that for any agreement to be viable, both sides would have to compromise, as Iran, a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), would not accept a deal that nullifies its rights under international law.
Regarding regional diplomacy, he said that although Pakistan had facilitated quiet contacts between the two countries last June, it is unclear whether Islamabad has been assigned a similar role this time. Several other countries, including Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain, are active in mediation efforts.
The Gulf countries have a particularly direct and immediate interest in de-escalation, as any retaliatory strikes on US bases would inevitably impact their territory, security, and economies. Consequently, these states are leveraging their contacts at various levels with the US leadership to prevent a war.
Sardar Masood Khan concluded that while the risk of a military confrontation remains, sustained and serious diplomatic efforts at the regional and international levels are the only reliable way to avert a crisis, the consequences of which could be far-reaching and devastating for the entire region.