How Qatar, not Pakistan, became the real power broker in US-Iran deal

While Pakistan sought the spotlight in its diplomatic endeavours, it was Qatar’s subtle, low-key mediation that ultimately held the key to the US-Iran ceasefire. When a fragile US-Iran ceasefire threatened to collapse this spring, the diplomatic marathon to stitch together an agreement did not end in a dramatic finale that Pakistan hoped would play out in Islamabad. Instead, it quietly folded back into familiar Swiss neutrality — and behind the scenes the real architect was not Pakistan but a low?profile Qatari mediation effort that outplayed bigger players by blending discretion, access and relentless shuttle diplomacy. Doha’s role was not accidental….