Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir is scheduled to visit Tehran on Tuesday as Pakistan continues its efforts to mediate between Iran and the United States (US), an international media outlet has reported, citing a Pakistani official and Iranian media.
Pakistan has played a mediating role in efforts to end the conflict, which began with illegal US and Israeli strikes on Iran in February.
The planned visit follows talks between Munir and Iranian leaders during the summer, which focused on preventing further escalation, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and bringing the conflict to an end.
The visit also comes amid regional tensions, as Yemen’s internationally recognised government forces continue fighting Houthi rebels, who are targeting Saudi Arabia.
A day before Munir’s scheduled visit, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said that peace between Washington DC and Tehran will require patience, trust and sustained diplomatic efforts.
Addressing the Global Security Forum in Doha on Monday, Naqvi said that Pakistan had made every possible effort to bring the two sides to the negotiating table. He added that Islamabad continued its efforts despite periods when tensions escalated sharply.
Efforts to resume US-Iran negotiations remain stalled, with the two sides disagreeing over the conditions for restarting talks.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday that Tehran’s proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days remained on the table. However, he said that progress depended on Washington’s response to Iran’s terms and conditions.
Tehran has called for the lifting of the US blockade on its ports, relief from sanctions on its oil exports and an end to hostilities across regional fronts. Washington, meanwhile, wants Iran’s nuclear programme to be addressed as a priority.
Naqvi also acknowledged Qatar’s diplomatic efforts to mediate between the United States and Iran. He said that Islamabad and Doha had worked together to prevent further escalation in the region.
