Pakistan’s diplomatic push to mediate between the U.S. and Iran has hit turbulence after a high-profile slip at a key summit in Islamabad. Tehran swiftly rejected Islamabad’s role, with its foreign ministry clarifying it is not part of any such mediation framework and dismissing U.S. demands as “excessive.” The episode puts pressure on Shehbaz Sharif’s outreach efforts, while Donald Trump continues to push for a deal amid rising regional tensions.