Iran minister meets Sharif, Munir as Pakistan pushes US-Iran de-escalation

Islamabad,UPDATED: Jul 21, 2026 19:54 IST

Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni, leading a high-level delegation, held talks in Islamabad on Tuesday with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir, as tensions continue to rise between Iran and the US.

The visit comes amid continued US attacks against Iran and Tehran's retaliation against American interests in the region. Alongside discussions on the regional situation, the two sides are also expected to focus on trade, connectivity and other bilateral matters.

Momeni met Sharif at the prime minister's official residence, the Prime Minister's Office said in a post on X, without giving details of the meeting. Before that, he met Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Munir, according to Iranian official media. He is also due to hold talks with his Pakistani counterpart Mohsin Naqvi, who had invited him to Islamabad.

Pakistan is believed to be among the mediators making behind-the-scenes efforts to secure a halt in the attacks and begin negotiations between Iran and the US. The country, which previously mediated a ceasefire between the two sides, is also trying to prevent the collapse of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding signed last month between the US and Iran. The Islamabad MoU is a 14-point interim peace deal aimed at ending the war between the two countries.

Momeni arrived in Islamabad on Monday evening and was received by Naqvi. Earlier, he laid a floral wreath at Yadgar-e-Shuhda and was briefed about the monument. A contingent of the Federal Constabulary presented a guard of honour to the visiting dignitary. He also visited the Shakarparian Park area, a small hilltop near Islamabad's Zero-Point, for a view of the city.

The talks are also expected to cover economic cooperation through higher bilateral trade, better connectivity and renewed discussion on the long-delayed Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline. After arriving in Pakistan, Momeni said Pakistan and Iran should expand cross-border transport capacity to meet a USD 10 billion trade target. He said both countries aim to more than triple annual bilateral trade from USD 3 billion to USD 10 billion and that the visit was aimed at "developing relations and following up on agreements reached during President Masoud Pezeshkian's trip to Pakistan about one month ago". "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 be on the agenda.

Pakistan and Iran share a 900-kilometre border and have been trying to use that proximity to expand trade, connectivity, and cultural and religious links. Momeni's visit has brought together both the regional tensions and the wider push to deepen bilateral ties.

With PTI Inputs

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