Pakistan military 'cautiously optimistic' on Iran-US mediation

Pakistan's military is expressing cautious optimism regarding the ongoing mediation between Iran and the United States, according to the country's military spokesman. Field Marshal Asim Munir, who has been actively involved in these efforts, has visited Tehran twice in recent weeks, most recently on Monday alongside representatives from Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

The spokesman, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, emphasized that the military's caution stems from the need to avoid conflict that could serve vested interests.

Despite the enthusiasm, Chaudhry acknowledged the presence of detractors who believe that conflict benefits certain groups. The military chiefs who joined Munir in Tehran included Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin. The three countries signed a joint defense pact earlier this year, known as the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, which has gained significance following the Iran conflict and the subsequent reshaping of regional alliances.

Iran's Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Mohsen Rezaei, urged regional countries to ensure security without foreign intervention during the latest talks. Chaudhry confirmed that additional Pakistani troops could be deployed to Saudi Arabia depending on the evolving situation and the decision of the political leadership of the involved nations.

Pakistan's commitment to defending Saudi Arabia and the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, as well as its stance against involvement in the Yemen conflict, were also reiterated. On the domestic front, the federal government suspended the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial government, led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), accusing it of failing to tackle militancy.

Khan's supporters, however, believe the suspension is a pretext to suppress protests, with the army maintaining that its counter-terrorism operations are based on intelligence-led actions.