The Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East & Africa (CAMEA) at the Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad (ISSI) hosted the launch of a special report titled The U.S., Iran Confrontation and its Regional Fallout. The event was addressed by Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi as chief guest, along with Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman, Board of Governors, ISSI, and Dr. Amina Khan, Director, CAMEA, ISSI.
Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi appreciated CAMEA ISSI’s efforts in bringing out a timely and wide ranging special report. She noted the diversity of its contributors and said it offered varied perspectives on a highly consequential regional issue. She also appreciated the report’s discussion of Pakistan’s mediatory role, saying Pakistan continues to enjoy the trust of both the United States and Iran and can play a constructive diplomatic role.
She stressed that regional security cannot depend solely on external actors, as their involvement does not necessarily ensure long-term stability. She underlined the need for greater regional cooperation and pointed to Pakistan, Egypt, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia as a grouping that could contribute to peace and stability. Reflecting on the conflict, she said the agreement that brought the four month war to an end showed the limits and ultimate failure of military force in resolving complex political disputes.
Ambassador Lodhi said the United States had entered the conflict as a war of choice, while for Iran it was an existential struggle. She added that the idea that “might is right” had been challenged, and that military superiority alone could not achieve political objectives. She said the United States did not achieve its stated objectives, including regime change or the complete destruction of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
She also noted that although threats and ultimatums were issued by the U.S. President, diplomacy continued alongside the conflict. She raised the broader question of whether the confrontation had reduced U.S. dominance in the international system and said this remained an important issue for further assessment. She added that intense diplomatic efforts continued throughout the crisis and contributed to de escalation efforts. She concluded that rising geopolitical tensions are reshaping the international landscape and that the world is passing through a period of considerable uncertainty.
Ambassador Khalid Mahmood said the Middle East remains central to global peace, security and economic stability, making the U.S.-Iran confrontation one of the most consequential issues affecting the region and beyond. He said the recent Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Iran represents 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.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s position that disputes should be resolved peacefully through dialogue, respect for sovereignty and adherence to the UN Charter. He said the special report is a timely and valuable contribution that provides balanced analysis of the evolving regional security environment. He also commended Dr. Amina Khan and the CAMEA team for producing a study that will benefit policymakers, diplomats, scholars and practitioners.
Dr. Amina Khan said the confrontation between the United States and Iran has emerged as one of the most momentous geopolitical developments shaping the contemporary Middle East. She said what began as a bilateral strategic rivalry has increasingly become a defining factor in regional security, diplomacy, economics and energy politics, with repercussions extending far beyond the Gulf region.
She added that persistent conflicts, shifting alliances, intensifying geopolitical competition and evolving economic and security challenges continue to reshape the regional landscape. These developments, she said, have far reaching consequences for international security, regional stability, maritime trade, energy markets and global diplomacy.
The event concluded with an interactive discussion and question and-answer session on the special report’s key findings and the evolving regional security environment. Former Foreign Minister Ambassador Inam ul Haq, practitioner Mr. Ziad Allahdad, scientist Mr. Shaukat Hameed Khan, contributing authors and others took part in the discussion. The event was attended by diplomats, academics, researchers, students, members of the strategic community and media representatives.
