Mediators worked through threats and strikes to broker the U.S.-Iran deal, and challenges remain

Key Points:

• Pakistan and Qatar led intense behind-the-scenes diplomacy to broker last week's deal ending a Middle East war that destabilized the region and impacted the global economy, despite ongoing threats and violence.
• The deal aims to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and lift a U.S. blockade on Iranian oil exports, setting a 60-day deadline for broader nuclear negotiations including economic relief for Iran.
• Pakistan emerged as a key mediator due to its good relations with both Iran and the U.S., with its army chief playing a crucial role in communications with President Trump, who ultimately canceled planned strikes after diplomatic appeals.
• Qatar stepped in to break deadlocks amid renewed hostilities, working alongside Pakistan and regional players like Egypt and Turkey to prevent further escalation and facilitate compromises on financial relief and uranium stockpile dilution.
• Continued violence in Lebanon, involving Hezbollah and Israel, repeatedly threatened the deal, but mediators secured commitments on Lebanon's ceasefire and sovereignty, enabling the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding and resumption of nuclear talks in Switzerland.