How Pakistan helped secure a fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran

How Pakistan helped secure a fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran12 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleCaroline DaviesGetty ImagesIn the hours before the two-week ceasefire between Iran and the US was announced, there were some small signs of hope from Pakistan.Speaking anonymously, a Pakistan source told the BBC that the talks continued "at pace", with Pakistan operating as an intermediary between Iran and the US. Those conducting the negotiations from Pakistan's side consisted of "a very small circle" and that the mood was "sombre and serious but still hopeful that a cessation of hostilities will be the outcome. There are a few hours left." The source said they were not part of that small circle.Pakistan has acted as an intermediary between Iran and the US over the last few weeks, passing messages between the two. It has a historic relationship with Iran, a shared border and regularly refers to its "brotherly" relationship with the country. As for the US relationship, President Trump has referred to the head of Pakistan's armed forces, Field Marshall Asim Munir, as his "favourite" Field Marshall and said that he knows Iran "better than most".Follow live updates on this storyAn agreement was far from certain. Speaking in parliament on Tuesday night, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said: "Until yesterday we were very optimistic that things are moving in a positive direction," before Israel launched an attack on Iran on Monday and Iran attacked Saudi Arabia.Pakistan he said "was still trying to manage things as much as possible".Field Marshall Munir was even more overtly critical. Speaking to military officials on Tuesday, he said the attack on Saudi Arabia "spoils sincere efforts to resolve the conflict through peaceful means". This was some of the strongest language used by Pakistan towards Iran since the conflict began.Some analysts sugges...