Pakistan rejects claims Army Chief visited Iran as Trump's envoy
By The South Asia Times
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan's Foreign Ministry has strongly rejected reports that Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir recently visited Iran as an envoy of US President Donald Trump, describing the claims as "misleading and factually incorrect".
Speaking at a weekly press briefing in Islamabad on Thursday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said the army chief's visit to Tehran on August 24 was undertaken "purely in the context and backdrop of Pakistan's ongoing role as mediator" between Washington and Tehran.
According to Andrabi, discussions during Munir's visit focused on "regional de-escalation, breaking the military stalemate and exploring a negotiated settlement to restore regional peace and stability".
The Iranian leadership, he added, appreciated Pakistan's efforts towards facilitating dialogue and de-escalation.
The visit was part of Pakistan's continuing diplomatic efforts to help end the US-Iran conflict and support renewed efforts toward reopening the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
The spokesperson also noted that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has remained engaged with his counterparts in the region, including multiple conversations with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and talks with Kuwaiti and Egyptian officials.
Pakistan's mediation efforts come as the country prepares to assume the chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) for a one-year term following the SCO Council of Heads of State Summit scheduled in Bishkek from August 31 to September
