Why Asim Munir met Iran leaders in combat gear but JD Vance in a suit

All eyes were on Pakistan as Iranian leaders and a US delegation, led by Vice President JD Vance, arrived in Islamabad for make-or-break talks after both sides secured a fragile two-week ceasefire. However, what drew scrutiny beyond the optics was army chief Asim Munir - and not Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif - receiving the delegations. Munir, widely seen as Pakistan's de facto ruler, turned the occasion into a carefully staged show of authority.

What drew particular attention was Munir's wardrobe switch. While receiving the 71-member Iranian delegation, which was led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Munir was seen in combat gear. Hours later, as JD Vance arrived at the refurbished (if you know, you know) Nur Khan air base, Munir was all suited and booted.

The optics have left geopolitical watchers intrigued. Several experts argued that it was deliberate messaging aimed at both Iran and the US.

"An army officer always has to be in uniform while receiving foreign leaders. Asim Munir is aiming to show that he is a diplomat with the Americans and a soldier with Iran. That is the messaging. This is unbecoming of the conduct of a senior army general," Major General Sanjay Meston (retired) told India Today.

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