Pakistan army chief visits Tehran to push for lasting US-Iran peace

The military’s media affairs wing announced on Monday that Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Asim Munir, along with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, had traveled to Iran as part of Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace and stability. According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), CDF Munir's primary objective during his visit is to facilitate a peaceful, lasting, and comprehensive resolution of conflicts in the Middle East.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqai had previously stated that CDF Munir was expected in Tehran to continue his efforts towards regional peace and security. The delegation led by CDF Munir aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Iran and Pakistan, as well as to continue Pakistan's good offices in supporting peace and security in the region.

The visit includes meetings with senior Iranian officials to discuss ongoing matters. The conflict in the Middle East escalated on February 28 when the United States and Israel launched a series of strikes against Iran, prompting retaliatory actions across the region. A ceasefire was declared on April 8, but the ongoing dispute has become increasingly centered around the control of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial energy route.

Iran has maintained control over the strait since the war's inception, while the United States prioritizes reopening it to ensure global oil and gas supply continuity. However, Tehran insists that the waterway will remain closed until Washington lifts its naval blockade on Iranian ports, lifts oil sanctions, and unfreezes Iranian assets abroad.

Pakistan has been instrumental in facilitating peace talks between Iran and the United States, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in June, yet progress in these negotiations seems to have stalled. Recently, US President Donald Trump announced an unprecedented scale of economic pressure on Iran, urging other nations, including China, to join in efforts to further isolate Iran's economy.

The United States is anticipated to announce details of the planned sanctions later this week, describing them as the toughest sanctions in history against Iran.