A joint de-escalation proposal by Pakistan and Qatar has urged the US and Iran to return to their pre-July 9 positions "as a first step" to resume stalled talks to permanently end their months-long war, Pakistani government sources tell Anadoluhttps://t.co/LhR0gwjqUE News Analysis & Summary In a significant diplomatic move, Pakistan and Qatar have jointly proposed a de-escalation framework aimed at halting the months-long conflict between the United States and Iran. According to Pakistani government sources speaking to Anadolu Agency, the proposal calls for both sides to withdraw to their positions prior to July 9 as a confidence-building first step, thereby reopening the door for stalled negotiations toward a permanent resolution. \ \ This initiative highlights the growing role of neutral intermediaries in a region fraught with mistrust. The pre-July 9 date is strategicit likely refers to a specific escalation point that triggered heightened hostilities. By asking both parties to step back, Pakistan and Qatar are emphasizing that diplomacy, not further confrontation, is the only sustainable path. \ \ In my opinion, this proposal is both pragmatic and politically astute. It avoids assigning blame and instead offers a face-saving mechanism for both Washington and Tehran to return to the table without losing credibility. However, the success hinges on whether the US and Iran see mutual benefit in such a reset. Given the entrenched positions and the involvement of proxy forces, a simple return to a previous status quo may be insufficient without broader security guarantees. Nonetheless, this joint effort reflects a commendable shift toward multilateral mediation, and it deserves serious consideration from all stakeholders. Source: @trtworld on X/TwitterPublic Engagement Views: 3,159 Likes: 3 Comments: 1 Shares: 2 Published: July 20, 2026, 3:10 pm