Islamabad (GNP): The Institute of Regional Studies organized an expert webinar titled “Towards Stability: US, Iran and the Path Forward for Peace”, bringing together experts, scholars and keen observers to examine the evolving geopolitical dynamics of the US–Iran relationship and its wider implications for regional and global stability. Dr. Lyudmila Aleksandrovna Pechishcheva, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of China and Contemporary Asia of the Russian Academy of Sciences, served as the Eminent Speaker.
Ambassador Jauhar Saleem, President of the Institute of Regional Studies, emphasized that the US-Iran conflict carries far-reaching consequences beyond regional security, significantly impacting global energy supplies, gas flows, fertilizer production, and international food security.
He underscored that continued disruptions could trigger severe global economic shocks, including inflationary pressures and potential food crises, making sustained diplomatic engagement and a structured negotiation framework urgently necessary.
Ambassador Saleem further highlighted the importance of emerging understandings aimed at restoring stability, including the unblocking of critical maritime routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, the resumption of shipping flows, and movement toward de-escalation through phased negotiations.
He noted that issues such as sanctions relief and regional security guarantees require coordinated international efforts, while acknowledging Pakistan’s role as a facilitator of dialogue and stability in the ongoing diplomatic process.
Dr. Pechishcheva provided an in-depth analysis of possible future trajectories in US-Iran relations. She outlined multiple scenarios ranging from a comprehensive “grand bargain” leading to structured nuclear limitations and reintegration of Iran into the global economic system, to a fragile “no-war, no-peace” equilibrium characterized by partial agreements and sustained tensions.
She also pointed to a pessimistic scenario where geopolitical rivalry, economic sanctions, and potential internal instability drive escalation.
The discussion further highlighted the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz as a critical global energy corridor, where any disruption could significantly affect global oil prices and maritime trade security. The webinar also highlighted that emerging diplomatic frameworks may include phased sanctions relief, partial unfreezing of assets, and renewed negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program, including enrichment limits and verification mechanisms alongside reciprocal security considerations from key stakeholders.
Also Read: AKUH Signs Agreements to Bring Robotic Surgery to Pakistan
Towards the end, the event reflected on broader global shifts, including debates around multipolarity and the evolving balance of power, with particular reference to the roles of major international actors in shaping outcomes in the Middle East.
The session concluded with a consensus that sustained diplomacy, calibrated restraint, and multilateral engagement remain essential to preventing escalation and ensuring long-term regional and global peace and stability.
