Asim Munir Lands in Tehran as Pakistan Leads Mediation Efforts
News Desk
Islamabad: Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir arrived in Tehran on Friday as Pakistan stepped up diplomatic efforts to help sustain a fragile ceasefire and revive negotiations aimed at ending the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.
According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff was received at the airport by Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni.
Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi was also present at the reception.
During the visit, Field Marshal Munir is expected to hold meetings with senior Iranian leadership to discuss the evolving regional situation, ongoing Iran-US contacts, bilateral cooperation, and broader efforts for regional peace and stability.
The visit comes at a critical stage in diplomatic efforts following months of conflict that began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran in February. The confrontation later expanded as Iran targeted Gulf states hosting American military bases, while fighting also intensified between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Although a ceasefire is currently holding, negotiations remain uncertain amid tensions surrounding Iran’s position on the Strait of Hormuz and continued economic pressure linked to restrictions on Iranian ports and trade routes.
Read More: https://thepenpk.com/is-a-secret-us-iran-deal-closer-than-expected/
Pakistan has emerged as a key intermediary in efforts to bridge differences between Tehran and Washington. The first round of direct US-Iran talks, facilitated by Pakistan, was held in Islamabad in April but ended without a final agreement.
In recent days, Islamabad has intensified backchannel diplomacy. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited Tehran twice within a week and held meetings with Iran’s president, parliament speaker, and foreign minister in an attempt to revive stalled negotiations.
Meanwhile, United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged Pakistan’s role in the process, describing Islamabad as the “primary interlocutor” in ongoing diplomacy with Iran.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a NATO gathering in Sweden, Rubio said the United States would welcome an agreement with Iran but cautioned that negotiations had not yet produced a breakthrough.
He noted that Gulf states and other regional actors also remained engaged because of the wider security implications of the conflict, particularly concerns over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil and gas supplies.
A Qatari delegation also arrived in Tehran on Friday in coordination with Washington to support efforts aimed at securing a broader agreement and easing regional tensions.
The prolonged conflict has continued to impact global markets, with oil prices remaining volatile and investors closely monitoring developments in the peace process.
