ISLAMABAD: Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, departed for Iran on Monday alongside Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi as Pakistan stepped up its diplomatic efforts to promote peace and stability in the Middle East.
During the visit, Field Marshal Munir will focus on advancing efforts towards a peaceful, lasting and comprehensive resolution of the conflict in the region.
The latest development follows confirmation by Iran’s Foreign Ministry on Sunday that the Field Marshal would lead a high-level Pakistani delegation to Tehran for talks with the Iranian leadership.
Pakistan Steps Up Mediation Efforts
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the visit was aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation while supporting Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to promote regional peace and security.
The visit also follows a telephone conversation between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Field Marshal Munir on Saturday, during which they discussed regional developments and efforts to strengthen peace, stability and security.
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Pakistan has emerged as a key diplomatic intermediary between Iran and the United States since conflict erupted earlier this year.
Islamabad brokered the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between Tehran and Washington in June, establishing a framework aimed at ending hostilities and creating conditions for negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme, US sanctions and a permanent ceasefire.
The agreement provided a 60-day negotiating window, which expired on August 17 without a final peace deal, although its provisions allowed an extension through mutual consent.
Pakistan has continued diplomatic engagement despite differences between Washington and Tehran over the status of the agreement.
Push for Lasting Regional Peace
Islamabad has repeatedly maintained that diplomacy and dialogue offer the only sustainable route towards resolving the conflict.
Pakistan and Qatar have also worked jointly to facilitate engagement between Tehran and Washington, including high-level talks held in Lucerne, Switzerland, in June.
Field Marshal Munir’s Tehran visit is expected to build on those diplomatic efforts, with discussions focusing on reducing regional tensions and exploring possibilities for reviving negotiations towards a comprehensive settlement.
His visit comes as unresolved differences over sanctions, Iran’s nuclear programme and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz continue to complicate efforts to achieve a lasting agreement.
