Pakistani Experts Assess China-Pakistan Diplomatic Mediation: Iran Needs a Guarantor
¬ Russian Expert: The U.S. Is Fighting Alone in the Iran Quagmire, "Tomahawk" Stockpile Running Low
¬ Iranian Foreign Minister: Iran Has Not Yet Responded to U.S.-Proposed 15-Point Plan
As the risk of an uncontrolled U.S.-Iran war grows, China and Pakistan are intensifying their coordinated efforts to de-escalate the situation.
On March 31, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks in Beijing with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Dal, exchanging views on the situation in the Gulf and the Middle East region and putting forward the following five initiatives:
1.
Immediate cessation of hostilities.
2.
Swift initiation of peace talks.
3.
Guaranteeing the safety of non-military targets.
4.
Ensuring the safety of maritime routes.
5.
Upholding the primacy of the UN Charter.
Sputnik News interviewed two experts on what diplomatic support China and Pakistan could provide to resolve the Middle East crisis.
Abdullah Khan, Executive Director of the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security, told Sputnik that Pakistan and China could offer neutral mediation support by convening talks and amplifying calls for dialogue.
He explained: "Drawing on Pakistan’s recent experience with four-party consultations and China’s track record in mediation, they can help create space for negotiations on nuclear issues, proxy conflicts, and regional security—without external interference."
Khan pointed out that Pakistan, due to its relationships with Iran, Gulf states, and the United States, could serve as a valuable diplomatic bridge, complementing China’s broader efforts to promote stability and economic cooperation.
Dr. Zahid Shahab Ahmed, researcher at Deakin University in Australia, said: "Currently, Iran is demanding guarantees, seeking compensation—but most importantly, it needs a guarantor country. If Pakistan cannot serve as a reliable guarantor under these circumstances, then Pakistan will rely on China to play that role."
Igor Korochenko, military analyst and editor-in-chief of the magazine *Defence*, told Sputnik that the U.S. conventional military forces are being stretched to their limits in its conflict with Iran.
He emphasized: "The problem isn’t just the rapid depletion of 'Tomahawk' cruise missiles—each missile fired at Iran simultaneously reduces broader air defense and missile defense reserves."
"This is indeed a real issue that the U.S. is currently feeling acutely," he said.
According to an analysis of U.S. Navy budget documents by Sputnik News, at the current rate of consuming 850 Tomahawk cruise missiles per month, the U.S. stockpile has only about three months’ worth of supply remaining.
Korochenko noted that while the current inventory still allows the U.S. to continue striking Iran, one must remember that this military operation—primarily conducted alone by the U.S.—has no clear end date in sight.
He pointed out: "This is a completely different kind of conflict. Previously, every war the U.S. fought in Yugoslavia and Iraq was a coalition operation carried out jointly with NATO countries and allies."
Experts note that as these weapons are rapidly depleted, Trump clearly faces a dilemma—he seems eager to exit the Iran conflict but lacks a clear path forward.
The conflict has now lasted a month, yet the U.S. objectives remain unachieved: Iran remains far from turmoil, its society remains united in facing external aggression, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps still maintains ample missile reserves, including newly developed systems safely stored underground.
"The mosaic defense system" and decentralized operations make further U.S. attacks costly and outcomes uncertain.
Korochenko concluded that a new round of escalation appears inevitable, forcing the U.S. into a difficult choice: either escalate the campaign at political cost (possibly including defeat in midterm elections), or withdraw and leave its ally Israel exposed to confront a determined Iran alone.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Al Jazeera that Iran has not yet responded to the U.S.-proposed 15-point plan for resolving the conflict.
The foreign minister stated: "We have not yet responded to the U.S.-proposed 15-point plan, nor have we made any suggestions or conditions. We have not yet decided on entering negotiations. We do have some views, and our conditions for ending the war are clear."
Araghchi stressed that threatening the Iranian people is unacceptable, and called on U.S. President Donald Trump to treat the Iranian people with "respect."
Other statements by the Iranian Foreign Minister include:
What is currently happening is not "negotiations"—it is merely the exchange of messages, directly or through "regional friends."
Iran continues to receive messages from the U.S. Special Envoy for Middle East Affairs, Witkoff, but this does not mean formal negotiations are underway.
These messages contain "warnings or mutual viewpoints," transmitted through various regional channels.
No formal negotiations are taking place with any specific party; message exchanges occur through the Foreign Ministry and coordination with security agencies.
Iran "will not agree to a ceasefire" but instead seeks a "comprehensive halt to war across the entire region."
The Strait of Hormuz is "fully open," closed only to countries participating in the war against Iran.
All necessary measures have been taken to ensure the safe passage of vessels from friendly nations through the strait.
Iran "is fully prepared to respond to any ground conflict" and warns adversaries not to make strategic miscalculations.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1861238646794243/
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