Pakistan intensifies Iran-US mediation as Naqvi holds crucial talks with President Pezeshkian

• Iranian president praises Pakistan’s role in stabilising fragile ceasefire efforts in nearly 90-minute meeting

• Pezeshkian commends PM Shehbaz, Field Marshal Asim Munir for ‘active diplomacy’

• Naqvi says recent crisis has reshaped regional alignments and strategic calculations

• Tehran, Islamabad discuss prospects for reviving stalled US-Iran peace negotiations

• Iran hails Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability

• Talks cover security, trade, academic cooperation and wider regional developments

• Pakistan continues shuttle diplomacy as tensions persist around Strait of Hormuz

 ISLAMABAD/TEHRAN: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held high-level talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran on Sunday, with discussions focusing on regional security, recent hostilities and efforts to reinforce a fragile ceasefire amid ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran, Iran’s WANA news agency reported.

Quoting a statement from the Pakistani embassy in Tehran, the Iranian news agency said Naqvi held a nearly 90-minute private meeting with President Pezeshkian at the Presidential Administration complex, while his overall visit to the facility lasted around three hours.

Pakistani Interior Minister Holds 90-Minute Meeting with Iranian President#Iran #Pakistan https://t.co/8ugJyw6vTx

— Iran Now - WANA (@WANA_Iran) May 17, 2026

During the meeting, President Pezeshkian praised what he described as the responsible cooperation of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq in preventing their territories from being used for armed operations against Iran.

He stressed that unity among Islamic countries was essential for regional peace and reducing the scope for external interference, including what he termed “adventurism by extra-regional powers and the Israeli regime.”

The Iranian president also lauded Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement during the recent crisis, particularly appreciating the role played by the country’s political and military leadership in efforts aimed at stabilising the ceasefire.

“President Pezeshkian highly commended the active diplomacy of the Pakistani government — particularly Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir — in facilitating and stabilising the recent ceasefire,” the statement said.

Interior Minister Naqvi, in turn, highlighted Pakistan’s continued diplomatic outreach focused on de-escalation and ending hostilities, saying recent developments had clarified regional alignments and “provided a vital baseline for future strategic decisions.”

The meeting also covered broader regional developments, with President Pezeshkian condemning recent military actions against Iran and describing them as unlawful attempts aimed at destabilisation. He maintained that such efforts had failed due to national unity and resilience.

“The adversaries’ primary objective was to trigger domestic instability and dismantle the Islamic system,” the Iranian president said.

On bilateral relations, Pezeshkian expressed interest in expanding trade, scientific cooperation and academic exchanges, saying recent developments had created “an ideal opportunity” to further deepen ties between Tehran and Islamabad.

Naqvi underscored the “deep historical, cultural and grassroots ties” between Pakistan and Iran, expressing confidence that political will on both sides would elevate bilateral cooperation.

Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also attended the meeting. Momeni praised Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting regional peace, including diplomatic efforts attributed to Pakistan’s military leadership.

Mohsin Naqvi arrived in Tehran this week and also held talks with his Iranian counterpart, during which both sides discussed prospects for resuming peace negotiations between Washington and Tehran, according to a statement issued by the Pakistani embassy.

Naqvi arrived in the Iranian capital on Saturday for a two-day visit aimed at facilitating dialogue and promoting regional peace. He was received at the airport by Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni.

Pakistan has positioned itself as a key mediator since the conflict erupted following joint US-Israeli strikes on Tehran on February 28. The strikes triggered Iranian retaliation and disruption around the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy corridor through which nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies pass.

Although a fragile ceasefire announced on April 8 remains in place, negotiations between Washington and Tehran have largely stalled after the first round of direct talks in Islamabad ended without a breakthrough. Differences over Iran’s uranium enrichment programme and regional security issues continue to hamper progress.

“Following the welcoming ceremony, the two interior ministers held an important bilateral meeting during which detailed discussions were held on Iran-Pakistan relations and the prospects for resuming peace talks,” the Pakistani embassy said.

The statement added that both sides discussed issues of mutual interest, including sustainable peace in the region and recent regional developments.

According to the embassy, Momeni praised the “sincere and committed efforts” of Pakistan’s military leadership, particularly Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, in supporting efforts to resolve the conflict.

“Iran has always been a supporter of peace and we deeply appreciate Pakistan’s efforts in this regard,” Momeni was quoted as saying. “We view Pakistan’s initiatives with great respect and admiration.”

Naqvi also met Iranian Parliament Speaker Dr Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf on Sunday afternoon, Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency reported.

Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met with Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf in Tehran. pic.twitter.com/sqlZgJoFnL

— Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) May 17, 2026

“Official meetings of the mediator’s representative in Tehran with senior Iranian leaders continue,” IRNA said, without disclosing further details.

Qalibaf had earlier visited Pakistan on April 11-12 for talks with senior US officials during the first round of negotiations, though the two sides failed to reach a breakthrough.

A second round of talks had been expected last month, but negotiations were postponed after US President Donald Trump cancelled a planned visit by the American negotiating team, citing differences over Iran’s peace proposals.

Pakistan, which has been accepted as a mediator by both Washington and Tehran, hopes to help broker a broader peace agreement while also mitigating the economic fallout of the prolonged conflict.

The US-Iran confrontation has driven global oil prices higher and intensified inflationary pressures in developing countries, including Pakistan.