Attack on Saudi Arabia became ‘red line’, then why is Pakistan taking the contract of mediation between Iran and America? caught in a whirlwind myself

These days, a strange diplomatic puzzle does not seem to be solved in the politics of the Middle East. On one hand, Saudi Arabia has made it clear that there will be no compromise with the security of its kingdom and any kind of attack is a ‘red line’ for it, while on the other hand, Pakistan’s attempt to become a ‘contractor’ of mediation between Iran and America is becoming a bone of contention. This move by Islamabad has not only made it suspicious in the eyes of its old friend Saudi Arabia, but has also pushed it into a diplomatic whirlpool from which it is now becoming difficult to get out. Pretense of mediation or diplomatic compulsion? Pakistan has long been claiming that it can act as a ‘bridge’ to reduce tensions between Iran and America. But experts believe that this stance of Pakistan is creating a big contradiction between its own economic plight and the financial help it receives from Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is very cautious about its security in the Middle East and considers Iran as its biggest regional rival. In such a situation, if Pakistan tries to get closer to Iran and make a deal with America, then Riyadh feels it like stabbing it in the back. This dual stand of Pakistan is now isolating it diplomatically. Saudi Arabia’s ‘Red Line’ and Pakistan’s problems Riyadh has made it clear that threats to its security from Yemen or sea routes will not be tolerated. Amidst this strict policy of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan’s advocating a ‘deal’ with America along with Iran is spoiling its diplomatic equations. Now the sword is hanging over the investment and cheap oil that Pakistan gets from Saudi Arabia. If Islamabad does not change its mediation policy, it may have to bear the brunt of Riyadh’s displeasure. This diplomatic experiment of Pakistan is now proving to be a ‘self-goal’ in its own court. Why is Pakistan stuck? The situation in Pakistan has become like ‘a washerman’s dog neither of the house nor of the ghat’. On one hand it has to face pressure from China, on the other hand it is forced to improve relations with America, and on the third hand it is forced not to anger Saudi Arabia. While taking the ‘contract’ of mediation, Pakistan did not think that the decades-long enmity between Iran and America was not going to be resolved so easily. Now Islamabad is neither able to completely satisfy Iran, nor is it able to win the trust of America nor Saudi Arabia. Ultimately, in this whole incident, Pakistan’s credibility is falling on the international stage, which is a sign of great danger to its future.