Asim Munir’s Iran visit linked to de-escalation efforts
Asim Munir’s Iran visit was part of Pakistan’s efforts to reduce tensions between the United States and Iran, the Foreign Office said Thursday. FO spokesperson Tahir Andrabi rejected claims that the army chief visited Tehran as a US envoy. He called the claims misleading and factually incorrect. Andrabi said Asim Munir travelled to Tehran for […]
Foreign Office (FO) officials have dismissed allegations that Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir acted as U.S. envoys when they visited Iran on August 24. The army chief's day-long trip to Tehran was part of Pakistan's diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing US-Iran conflict, with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi accompanying him.
During his address at a press briefing in Islamabad, FO Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi emphasized that the discussions centered on regional de-escalation, breaking the military stalemate, and seeking a negotiated settlement to restore peace and stability. Andrabi rejected claims that Munir and the COAS visited Iran as U.S. envoys, stating the visit was purely in the context of Pakistan's role as a mediator.
He added that the Iranian leadership appreciated Pakistan's efforts towards de-escalation and a peaceful resolution of the conflict, noting Pakistan's ongoing engagement in sincere and concerted efforts to resolve crises in the Middle East and Gulf, including the standoff between the U.S. and Iran. Andrabi also highlighted Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar's engagement with his counterparts on regional developments, including three calls with Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
The U.S.-Iran deal, signed in mid-June, aimed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with Tehran and Oman to determine future administration and maritime services in the waterway. However, the deal has since collapsed. Despite no clear breakthrough, diplomatic activity has reignited discussions on the conflict. Iran remains conditional in its position, citing the Pakistan-U.S.
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as the basis but demanding concrete actions from Washington. FO Spokesperson Andrabi urged Afghan Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani to ensure his proposed security mechanism is grounded in tangible actions, emphasizing that the Afghan Taliban must not use Afghan soil to carry out terrorism against Pakistan.
Written by urgent.news from Dawn - Pakistan's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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