Pakistan's ambitious effort to mediate the Iran war suffered a potentially fatal blow Monday when President Trump told the Financial Times that the United States could "take the oil in Iran" and was considering sending forces to seize Kharg Island [1].

The comments came hours after Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told reporters that "Pakistan will be honored to facilitate meaningful talks between the two sides." Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt had formed a diplomatic contact group, with Pakistan's Chief of Defense Forces Asim Munir personally calling Trump to discuss the crisis.

Iran's response was swift and blunt. Tehran denied any direct talks were taking place, rejected Trump's characterization of negotiations, and called U.S. demands "unreasonable." Iran's deputy parliamentary speaker explicitly denied any negotiations with the U.S., rendering Pakistan's intermediary position moot.

The Center for a New American Security published an analysis noting Pakistan's "Iran Mediation Gambit" was primarily aimed at boosting ties with the Trump administration rather than achieving a realistic diplomatic outcome. Retired U.S. Army Colonel Douglas Macgregor dismissed the effort as "ludicrous nonsense".

The fundamental problem was always structural: Pakistan lacks leverage over either party. It cannot credibly threaten consequences to the U.S. or Iran, and its own relationship with both countries is complicated by nuclear politics, border disputes, and competing intelligence interests.

Prime Minister Sharif spoke with Iranian President Pezeshkian by phone on March 28. Two days later, Trump floated seizing Iranian oil. The mediation track appears finished.

-- PRIYA SHARMA, Islamabad