How Pakistan won over Trump to become an unlikely mediator in the Iran war

How Pakistan won over Trump to become an unlikely mediator in the Iran war 12 minutes ago Share Save Caroline Davies Pakistan Correspondent Share Save Pakistan has been making a diplomatic push to position itself as a negotiator in the war Pakistan's role as intermediary in this conflict took many by surprise. But perhaps it shouldn't. The head of its armed forces, Field Marshall Asim Munir, is in US President Donald Trump's favour. The US leader frequently refers to him as his "favourite" Field Marshall and has previously spoken about how Munir knows Iran "better than most". Iran is not only Pakistan's neighbour with whom it shares a 900km (559 miles) or so border, but by their own messages a "brotherly" relationship with deep cultural and religious ties. It also has no US air bases. And unlike many of the usual intermediaries in the Gulf it has not yet been pulled into the conflict. Crucially, it is willing to wade in - peace between the US and Iran by many accounts would be in its interest. Still, there have been questions about how a country embroiled in conflict with two of its neighbours - Afghanistan and India - has positioned itself as a bringer of peace. The country is currently bombing Afghanistan and tensions with India led to a fear of nuclear escalation only last year. …