The exchange of fire across the Gulf and wider Middle East between the United States and Iran continues to fuel fears of a dangerous escalation, yet efforts are underway to revive the ceasefire and prevent the conflict from spiraling into full‑scale war. A significant development in this regard was the series of meetings held in Islamabad between Iranian Interior Minister Eskander Momeni and Pakistan’s top civil and military officials earlier this week. The fact that Tehran dispatched a senior representative to Pakistan demonstrates that despite the hostilities, Iran remains interested in exploring an off‑ramp.

Meanwhile, in Manila, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio adopted a tough tone in his remarks about Iran but notably did not rule out the possibility of a diplomatic settlement. This duality — harsh rhetoric alongside cautious openness to dialogue — reflects the complexity of the situation. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has declared that his country is in a “full‑scale war” with the US, and the escalation of the past two weeks suggests the conflict is moving in a perilous direction. Yet the Islamabad meetings, coupled with Washington’s refusal to completely shut the door on negotiations, indicate that there remains a narrow window for diplomacy.

Reviving the peace process will be extraordinarily difficult. Trust between Washington and Tehran is at its lowest, and it will require exceptional diplomatic skill to bring both sides back to the table. Still, the alternative is far worse. A regional war would be devastating, far more destructive than the last round of hostilities. Already the theatre of conflict has expanded, with Iran striking US bases beyond the Gulf and Yemen’s Houthis enforcing a blockade of Saudi vessels in the Red Sea. Unless both sides silence their guns and allow negotiators to work, the region risks sliding into a conflagration with global consequences.

The United States must halt its attacks and refrain from issuing fresh threats, while Iran must avoid targeting Gulf states. What may appear to be controlled escalation can quickly spiral out of control. Pakistan’s behind‑the‑scenes efforts to de‑escalate are commendable, but there are also forces determined to prolong hostilities. US Vice President J.D. Vance recently remarked that some in Israel want “to keep the war going on indefinitely.” Such statements highlight the presence of spoilers who benefit from continued instability.

The American leadership must recognise that persisting on the warpath with Iran will only lead to regional disaster. The only viable solution is for Washington and Tehran to work with Pakistan and other mediators to find an honourable exit from this unnecessary conflict. The stakes are immense, and the time for de‑escalation is now.