New Delhi, April 14 -- The Middle East crisis has entered a sharper, more complex phase. What began as coordinated US and Israeli airstrikes on February 28 has evolved into a wider geopolitical contest, disrupting energy flows from the Strait of Hormuz, rattling energy markets, and prompting urgent diplomacy.

In a notable development, a US delegation led by the US Vice President and Iranian delegation headed by the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament met in Islamabad. Despite 21 hours of delegation level discussion these remanned inconclusive with little or no meeting ground.

What is equally important is Pakistan has positioned itself as an mediator, leveraging its close ties with both Washington and Tehran. This is despite its mutual def...