COAS Asim Munir concludes Iran visit, reaffirms Pakistan's push for regional peace

-- High-level meetings held with Iranian leadership
-- Focus on de-escalation and diplomatic solutions
-- Pakistan's mediation role in US-Iran tensions highlighted
-- Iran acknowledges Pakistan’s peace efforts

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Asim Munir and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi have concluded a three-day official visit to Iran, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Saturday.

According to the ISPR, the visit focused on promoting sustainable peace in the region, with detailed discussions on the evolving security environment, ongoing diplomatic engagements, and joint efforts to ensure long-term stability. Field Marshal Munir emphasised the importance of dialogue, de-escalation, and peaceful resolution of conflicts through sustained diplomacy.

During the visit, Munir met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and held separate meetings with Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and Major General Ali Abdollahi, commander of Khatamul Anbiya Headquarters. He conveyed best wishes from Pakistan’s leadership and reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to strengthening historic and brotherly ties with Tehran.

The ISPR said the visit reflected Pakistan’s resolve to facilitate a negotiated settlement to the ongoing Middle East conflict and to promote regional peace, stability, and prosperity.

The visit also comes amid Pakistan’s ongoing mediation efforts between Iran and the United States. Earlier this month, Islamabad hosted direct talks between the two sides — the highest-level engagement since 1979 — though the discussions ended without a formal agreement after nearly 21 hours of negotiations. Despite the lack of a breakthrough, both sides agreed to keep diplomatic channels open.

Pakistan has continued to play an active role in facilitating dialogue, including ensuring the safe return of Iranian negotiators after the Islamabad talks. A ceasefire between the US and Iran, brokered on April 8 after weeks of conflict, remains in place but is considered fragile as it approaches its expiry.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recently said that efforts were ongoing to sustain the truce and resolve outstanding issues through diplomacy.

Meanwhile, Iranian Interior Minister Eskender Momini appreciated Pakistan’s role in achieving the ceasefire and supporting reconciliation efforts during a conversation with Mohsin Naqvi, underscoring growing recognition of Islamabad’s diplomatic engagement in the region.