Pakistan army chief heads to Iran as Islamabad seeks to revive US-Iran peace efforts
Munir and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi travel to Tehran amid stalled diplomacy and renewed US pressure on Iran
By The South Asia Times
ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s army chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi departed for Iran on Monday as Islamabad stepped up efforts to promote a peaceful and lasting resolution to the conflict between the United States and Iran, Pakistan’s military said.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Munir’s visit would focus on efforts toward a “peaceful, lasting and comprehensive resolution” of the conflict in the Middle East.
The visit comes amid renewed tensions after months of US and Israeli military strikes on Iran. The conflict began on Feb. 28 and severely disrupted regional security and energy markets, while Iran’s control over the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz became a major source of international concern.
Pakistan has played a central mediating role between Washington and Tehran. Islamabad hosted negotiations that culminated in the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding on June 17, under which Iran agreed to facilitate commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz while the United States agreed to lift its naval blockade.
The arrangement, however, later came under strain, with Washington and Tehran accusing each other of violating the memorandum and the ceasefire framework.
The latest Pakistani mission comes as Washington prepares additional economic pressure on Iran and Tehran threatens measures affecting Gulf oil exports. Reuters reported that US President Donald Trump spoke with Munir last week and urged Pakistan to use its influence to encourage Iran to return to negotiations.
Munir has maintained channels with both Washington and Tehran, giving Pakistan a potentially important role in efforts to reduce mistrust and reopen negotiations.
For Pakistan, which shares a long border with Iran while maintaining strategic ties with the United States and Gulf countries, de-escalation is also closely linked to its own security and economic interests.
