‘US–Iran Confrontation and its Regional Fallout’: ISSI hosts launch of special report

ISLAMABAD: The Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East & Africa (CAMEA) at the Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad (ISSI) hosted the launch of a special Report titled “The US–Iran Confrontation and its Regional Fallout.”

Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi, former Permanent Representative to the UN, while speaking at the launch of the special Report, appreciated CAMEA ISSI’s efforts in bringing together an important and timely special Report. She described the publication as a wide-ranging assessment of the US–Iran war and commended the diversity of its contributors, noting that it brings together varied perspectives on a highly consequential regional issue.

She also appreciated the special Report’s discussion of Pakistan’s mediatory role and observed that Pakistan continues to enjoy the trust of both the United States and Iran, enabling it to play a constructive diplomatic role. Lodhi stressed that regional security cannot depend solely on external actors, as their involvement does not necessarily guarantee long-term stability. She also underscored the importance of greater regional cooperation and highlighted Pakistan, Egypt, Turkiye, and Saudi Arabia as an important grouping capable of contributing to regional peace and stability. Reflecting on the conflict, she remarked that the agreement which brought the four-month war to an end demonstrated the limitations and ultimate failure of military force in resolving complex political disputes. She observed that while the United States had entered the conflict as a war of choice, for Iran it was an existential struggle. She further noted that the notion that “might is right” had been challenged, arguing that military superiority alone could not achieve political objectives.

She added that the United States did not achieve its stated objectives, including regime change or the destruction of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

Ambassador Lodhi also noted that although threats and ultimatums were issued by the US President, diplomacy continued alongside the conflict. She raised the broader question of whether the conflict had diminished US dominance in the international system, observing that this remains an important issue for further assessment.

She also emphasised that intense diplomatic efforts continued throughout the crisis and ultimately contributed to efforts aimed at de-escalation.

Chairman of the Board of Governors ISSI, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, said that the Middle East remains central to global peace, security, and economic stability, making the US–Iran confrontation one of the most consequential issues affecting the region and beyond. He noted that the recent Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Iran represents an important diplomatic opening that has created space for de-escalation, dialogue, and renewed engagement.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026