The U.S.–Iran Confrontation and its Regional Fallout report launches

ISLAMABAD, Jun 29 (APP): The Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East & Africa (CAMEA) here at the Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad (ISSI) on Monday hosted the launch of a special Report titled ‘The U.S.–Iran Confrontation and its Regional Fallout.’

The event was chaired by former Ambassador of Pakistan to United States, Maleeha Lodhi, and the prominent dignitaries who spoke on the occasion included, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman, Board of Governors, ISSI, and Dr. Amina Khan, Director, Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East & Africa (CAMEA), ISSI, who also spoke on the occasion, said a news release.

Maleeha Lodhi, in her address termed the publication as a wide-ranging assessment of the United States–Iran war and commended the diversity of its contributors, noting that it brought 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 continued to enjoy the trust of both the United States and Iran, enabling it to play a constructive diplomatic role. Ambassador Lodhi stressed that regional security could not depend solely on external actors, as their involvement did 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.

Ambassador Lodhi also emphasized that intense diplomatic efforts continued throughout the crisis and ultimately contributed to efforts aimed at de-escalation. She concluded by observing that rising geopolitical tensions were reshaping the international landscape and that the world was passing through a period of considerable uncertainty. She noted that the special Report provided valuable insights into the evolving regional tensions and contributed to a better understanding of the challenges confronting the region.

Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, said that the Middle East remained central to global peace, security, and economic stability, making the United States-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 (US) and Iran represented an important diplomatic opening that has created space for de-escalation, dialogue, and renewed engagement, while highlighting Pakistan’s constructive role in facilitating the process.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s consistent position that disputes should be resolved peacefully through dialogue, respect for sovereignty, and adherence to the United Nations Charter, he said the special Report, was a timely and valuable contribution that provided balanced analysis of the evolving regional security environment. He emphasized that lasting peace and stability in the Middle East could only be achieved through diplomacy, confidence-building, and inclusive regional cooperation.

Dr. Amina Khan, while expressing her views said that the confrontation between the US and Iran has emerged as one of the most momentous geopolitical developments shaping the contemporary Middle East. What began as a bilateral strategic rivalry has increasingly become a defining factor in regional security, diplomacy, economics, and energy politics, generating repercussions that extend far beyond the Gulf region. She further said that persistent conflicts, shifting alliances, intensifying geopolitical competition, and evolving economic and security challenges continued to reshape the regional landscape. These developments have far-reaching consequences for international security, regional stability, maritime trade, energy markets, and global diplomacy.

The event concluded with an engaging interactive discussion and question-and-answer session, during which participants exchanged views on the Special Report’s key findings and the evolving regional security environment. Former Foreign Minister, Ambassador Inam ul Haq, prominent practitioner Mr. Ziad Allahdad, eminent scientist Mr. Shaukat Hameed Khan, among others, and several contributing authors also took part in the discussion, offering their perspectives on the special Report’s key themes.

The event was attended by diplomats, academics, researchers, students, members of the strategic community, and representatives of the media.