Asim Munir visits Tehran as Pakistan revives Iran peace mediation

Islamabad,UPDATED: Aug 24, 2026 22:28 IST

Pakistan Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir met senior Iranian leaders in Tehran on Monday, as Islamabad said his visit was part of efforts to promote peace and stability in the region. Munir, who was accompanied by Pakistan Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, held talks with Iranian Parliament Speaker Bagher Ghalibaf and Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni on bilateral ties and regional developments.

The visit comes at a time of rising tensions involving Iran and the US, and amid Pakistan's push to revive stalled mediation efforts. Iran said the visit was aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation and addressing regional security issues, but added that it was unrelated to Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi's scheduled trip to Tehran on Tuesday.

During his meeting with Ghalibaf, Munir said Pakistan "would continue its efforts to help restore stability in the region". According to state-run Press TV, Ghalibaf reaffirmed Iran's commitment to upholding the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and criticised the US for not honouring its commitments. He said the US attitude had "hindered regional stability and further eroded trust in Washington".

The Pakistan Army had earlier said Munir was undertaking the trip "as part of Pakistan's efforts to promote regional peace and stability". It added that the field marshal would focus on promoting efforts towards a peaceful, lasting and comprehensive resolution of the conflict in the Middle East.

Munir also met Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni and discussed bilateral ties and the latest regional developments. Iran's Fars news agency reported that he would also hold talks with other senior Iranian officials during the visit.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Pakistan's army chief's visit was not linked to the Omani foreign minister's trip, though both visits would cover regional security issues. He said Iran had used every diplomatic means to prevent and end the war, but the US had repeatedly violated its commitments, including under the JCPOA. He added that Tehran would continue defending its interests and would not remain passive. He also warned that any regional country cooperating with US aggression against Iran, including through a maritime blockade, would face consequences.

Pakistan has been leading efforts to push for peace and revive mediation in the stalled US-Iran peace negotiations. In April, it helped arrange a ceasefire that led to an agreement to end the conflict, but the process later faltered. The conflict began when the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28, prompting Iranian retaliation, disrupting the Strait of Hormuz and pushing up petroleum prices. An interim peace agreement, which Pakistan signed as a guarantor, collapsed last month after tensions in West Asia rose again and the US and Iran resumed military strikes.

Interior Minister Naqvi had earlier this month held talks in Tehran with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The Strait of Hormuz remains a key sticking point, with shipping disrupted by the war. Before the current visit, Pezeshkian had defended the MoU as the best way for Iran to move beyond what he called a situation of "neither war nor peace", while Iran's Supreme Security Council chief Mohsen Rezaei warned Tehran's neighbours against joining a new US effort to hurt Iran's economy. On August 20, US President Donald Trump said he would launch the "most crushing economic operation" against Iran if Tehran failed to strike a deal.

Munir's Tehran visit, alongside Pakistan's wider outreach, comes as both sides discuss bilateral ties and the broader regional crisis, with Islamabad continuing its efforts to support talks and reduce tensions.

With PTI Inputs

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