TEHRAN: Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir held a meeting with Iranian Parliament Speaker Bagher Ghalibaf in Tehran on Thursday, Iranian state media reported, as Islamabad stepped up diplomatic efforts to encourage dialogue between Tehran and Washington.
The Pakistani delegation, headed by Field Marshal Munir, also met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
Pakistani Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir met with Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf in Tehran on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/ZPBcdMrvm9
— Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) April 16, 2026
Credible sources said that during meetings with the Iranian foreign minister, Field Marshal Munir conveyed to them an important message from US President Donald Trump.
Later, Field Marshal Munir visited Iran armed forces’ Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters in Tehran.
During the visit, the Chief of Defence Forces met with Major General Abdollahi, Commander of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbia Central Headquarters, and discussed matters of mutual interests, according to Iranian media.
Commander of Iran's Khatam Al-Anbiya Central Headquarters Major General Ali Abdollahi meets with Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir in Tehran.
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— Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) April 16, 2026
Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces is mediating between Iran and the United States and was part of the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif team, which hosted Iranian and American negotiators in Islamabad on the 11th and 12th of April.
Field Marshal arrived in Tehran on Wednesday as part of the ongoing Mideast peace negotiation efforts.
He was part of a delegation that also included Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi received the delegation, Inter Services Public Relations ISPR said in a statement.
Araghchi said he was “delighted” to welcome the Field Marshal during his visit. In a post on X, he expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s warm hospitality in hosting the dialogue, saying it reflected the deep and strong bilateral relationship between the two countries.
Delighted to welcome Field Marshal Munir to Iran.
Expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s gracious hosting of dialogue, emphasizing that it reflects our deep and great bilateral relationship. Our commitment to promoting peace and stability in the region remains strong—and shared. pic.twitter.com/e74lm6hL8r
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) April 15, 2026
Iranian negotiators, according to sources, are examining the American president’s message and will respond to the Pakistani delegation late at night.
Pakistan is trying to host another round of Iran-US talks in Islamabad, for which dates are being decided mutually.
The White House has indicated that a second round of US-Iran talks is “very likely” to take place in Islamabad, underscoring Pakistan’s growing role as a central diplomatic channel between Washington and Tehran.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said discussions were ongoing and expressed confidence in the prospects of a deal, while praising Pakistan’s role in facilitating dialogue.
“The Pakistanis have been incredible mediators throughout this process,” she said, adding that Washington intends to streamline communication through Islamabad.
PRESS SEC on U.S.-Iran negotiations: The Pakistanis have been incredible mediators and we really appreciate their friendship and efforts to bring this deal to a close.
The President feels it’s important to continue to streamline this communication through the Pakistanis. pic.twitter.com/3iIeF0oUpn
— Department of State (@StateDept) April 15, 2026
US officials also confirmed that negotiations remain “productive and ongoing”, with backchannel contacts continuing through Pakistani intermediaries.
Amid these developments, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, where the two leaders reaffirmed close bilateral ties and reviewed efforts to support dialogue between the United States and Iran.
According to Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s Office, the nearly two-hour meeting focused on economic cooperation, defence collaboration, and regional security.
I had the pleasure and honour of meeting my dear brother, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in Jeddah today.
During the course of which, I conveyed Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the Kingdom and expressed my deep appreciation of its patience and… pic.twitter.com/C6fIobxM58
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) April 15, 2026
Later, Prime Minister Sharif arrived in Doha and met Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, reaffirming bilateral ties and discussing regional security amid heightened tensions in the Gulf.
In a post on X, PM Sharif described the meeting as “warm and cordial” and expressed gratitude for Qatar’s gesture of sending fighter jets to escort his aircraft upon entering Qatari airspace, calling it a reflection of strong ties and hospitality.
I had a most warm and cordial meeting with my dear brother, Amir of Qatar His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in Doha today.
I thanked His Highness the Amir on behalf of the people of Pakistan for the exceptionally warm and generous gesture of sending Qatar’s fighter…
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) April 16, 2026
The diplomatic push follows a two-week ceasefire after more than a month of war involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
US Vice President JD Vance, who led initial talks, has described the negotiations as part of a potential “grand bargain” aimed at ending hostilities and addressing Iran’s nuclear programme.
