PM, CDF Munir reaffirm Pakistan’s mediation role as Iranian minister holds key talks

• Shehbaz reiterates Pakistan’s readiness to mediate US-Iran conflict amid escalating regional tensions

• Field Marshal Asim Munir, Iranian interior minister discuss border security, regional stability and bilateral cooperation

• Tehran praises Pakistan’s diplomacy and role in brokering the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding

• Momeni says expanding cross-border transport key to achieving $10b bilateral trade target

 ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Iran on Tuesday reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation, enhancing regional security and sustaining diplomatic engagement as Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni held separate high-level meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.

The talks focused on Pakistan’s mediation efforts to defuse tensions between the United States and Iran, regional peace, border management and expanding bilateral trade towards a $10 billion target.

During his meeting with CDF and COAS Asim Munir at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, matters relating to mutual interest, regional and bilateral security, and effective border management came under discussion, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

#ISPR
Rawalpindi, 21 July 2026

H.E. Eskandar Momeni, Interior Minister of the Islamic Republic of #Iran called on Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, Chief of Army Staff & Chief of Defence Forces of #Pakistan, at the General Headquarters (GHQ), Rawalpindi.

During the… pic.twitter.com/2XzurdCjxx

— Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) July 21, 2026

The visiting Iranian dignitary appreciated Pakistan’s consistent efforts and its diplomatic role in easing regional tensions, encouraging de-escalation and serving as an anchor for peace.

The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the resolve to maintain close coordination and cooperative mechanisms to safeguard regional security and promote mutual prosperity, the ISPR added.

 PREMIER EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER ESCALATING MIDDLE EAST SITUATION

Earlier, Momeni called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister’s House, where the premier expressed concern over the escalating situation in the Middle East and reiterated Pakistan’s willingness to sincerely mediate in the conflict between the United States and Iran.

According to an official press release issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, “The Prime Minister shared his deep concern over the recent escalation in the Gulf region and urged all sides to exercise restraint and refrain from actions that could further destabilise the region. While emphasising that Pakistan would continue to play its role as an honest and sincere mediator and facilitator, the prime minister reiterated Pakistan’s strong commitment to regional peace and stability.”

Interior Minister of Iran H.E. Iskander Momeni called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. Islamabad, 21 July 2026. pic.twitter.com/DFB48bDZuK

— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) July 21, 2026

Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Interior and Narcotics Control Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Adviser to the Prime Minister Dr Syed Tauqir Shah, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry and other senior government officials also attended the meeting.

The prime minister welcomed the Iranian interior minister and his delegation to Pakistan and, recalling his visit to Tehran earlier this month to attend the funeral ceremony of late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, conveyed his respectful regards and best wishes to Supreme Leader Sayyid Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei and President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian.

ISLAMABAD: 21 July 2026.

H.E. Mr. Eskandar Momeni, Interior Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, who is on an official visit to Pakistan, called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister House, earlier today.

Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister… pic.twitter.com/gjuPqkrhOQ

— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) July 21, 2026

Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni thanked the prime minister for the warm welcome extended to him and his delegation and conveyed the greetings and best wishes of the Iranian leadership.

He said he was leading a high-level delegation to further strengthen bilateral ties between the two neighbouring countries.

The Iranian minister also expressed deep appreciation for the prime minister, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for their untiring mediation efforts that led to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). He also thanked the prime minister for attending the funeral ceremony of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei in Tehran.

Momeni arrived in Pakistan on an official visit on Monday night and was received by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi in Islamabad. He is accompanied by a high-level delegation.

Earlier reports had suggested that the Iranian minister was likely to engage Pakistani officials who previously mediated the now-collapsed interim ceasefire between the United States and Iran.

 Police parade held in Momeni’s honour

Prior to his meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, a police parade was held in honour of the visiting Iranian interior minister in Islamabad, according to a post shared by the Interior Ministry on X.

ایرانی وزیر داخلہ اسکندر مومنی کے اعزاز میں شاندار پریڈ کا انعقاد۔
ایران کے وزیر داخلہ اسکندر مومنی کا وزیر مملکت برائے داخلہ طلال چوہدری کے ہمراہ پولیس لائنز آمد۔

ایران کے وزیر داخلہ اسکندر مومنی کی پریڈ گراونڈ آمد پر پرتپاک استقبال کیا گیا۔ pic.twitter.com/lQ9U6eG1Eu

— Ministry of Interior GoP (@MOIofficialGoP) July 21, 2026

Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry accompanied Momeni during the ceremony and later visited the Pakistan Monument with him, where a contingent of the Federal Constabulary presented a guard of honour to the visiting dignitary.

ایران کے وزیر داخلہ اسکندر مومنی کا دورۂ پاکستان
ایران کے وزیر داخلہ اسکندر مومنی کی وزیر مملکت برائے داخلہ طلال چوہدری کے ہمراہ پاکستان مونومنٹ آمد،

فیڈرل کانسٹیبلری کے چاق و چوبند دستے نے ایران کے وزیر داخلہ اسکندر مومنی کو سلامی پیش کی، pic.twitter.com/WBNMFsSiGg

— Ministry of Interior GoP (@MOIofficialGoP) July 21, 2026

EFFORTS TO REVIVE ISLAMABAD MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

Momeni’s visit comes as Pakistan continues its diplomatic efforts to revive the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, signed last month between the United States and Iran with the aim of ending the conflict that erupted after US-Israeli attacks on Iran in late February.

However, hostilities soon resumed, with the United States carrying out strikes in Iran for the 10th consecutive day late on Monday, prompting Iran to target US radar and air defence installations in the Gulf on Tuesday.

Following US President Donald Trump’s remarks earlier this month that the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran was “over”, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Monday that his country was fighting a “full-scale war”, while Tehran blamed Washington for violating the MoU.

Despite the renewed fighting, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said diplomatic exchanges with the United States through mediators were continuing.

Meanwhile, after the collapse of the truce, Tehran reimposed its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, while Washington responded by once again blockading Iranian ports.

Yemen’s Houthi rebels also entered the conflict on Monday by announcing an immediate maritime embargo on Saudi Arabia, opening a new front in the regional confrontation.

Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry condemned the Houthi maritime blockade and reaffirmed Riyadh’s support for Yemen’s Aden-based government.

 EXPANDING CROSS-BORDER TRANSPORT TO ACHIEVE $10BN TRADE TARGET

Beyond regional diplomacy, Pakistan and Iran are also seeking to deepen economic cooperation through increased bilateral trade, enhanced connectivity between Pakistani ports and Iran, and renewed discussions on the long-delayed Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline.

Speaking to the media after arriving in Islamabad on Monday night, Momeni underscored the need to expand cross-border transport capacity to help achieve the two countries’ $10 billion bilateral trade target.

وفاقی وزیرِ داخلہ محسن نقوی کی ایرانی ہم منصب اسکندر مومنی کے ہمراہ میڈیا سے گفتگو pic.twitter.com/L0kt79QMU7

— Ministry of Interior GoP (@MOIofficialGoP) July 20, 2026

He said Pakistan and Iran aimed to more than triple annual bilateral trade from $3 billion to $10 billion, adding that his visit was intended to “develop relations and follow up on agreements reached during President Masoud Pezeshkian’s trip to Pakistan about one month ago.”

According to Momeni, achieving the $10 billion target would require an average of around 2,000 trucks or containers crossing the border every day, while currently only about 20 per cent of that capacity is being utilised.

“Creating the necessary conditions on both sides of the border will be a main focus of discussions on this trip,” he said, adding that regional developments would also feature prominently on the agenda.

Pakistan and Iran share a 900-kilometre border and maintain close historical, cultural and religious ties, although their relationship has periodically been tested by cross-border militant activity and broader regional security challenges.