{
  "id": 15746931,
  "title": "Pakistan army chief arrives in Tehran as Iran seeks leverage in US talks",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/pakistan-army-chief-arrives-in-tehran-as-iran-seeks-leverage-in-us-15746931",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-20T12:02:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/gulf/2026/10/20/pakistan-army-chief-arrives-in-tehran-as-iran-seeks-leverage-in-us-talks/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, arrived in Tehran today alongside an official delegation to confer with high-ranking Iranian officials. The mission aimed to address the ongoing stalemate in diplomatic efforts to cease the Iran-US conflict, as well as discuss regional matters, according to the official Irna news agency. Islamabad has been instrumental in facilitating dialogue between Washington and Tehran, keeping lines of communication open with both parties. Qatar, another mediator in the conflict, affirmed that communication between Iran and the US has not ceased, with the goal of reaching a resolution as soon as possible. However, Qatar's Foreign Ministry warned that threats to cut undersea cables in the Strait of Hormuz, coupled with the dangers posed by sea mines and oil spills, would adversely affect regional nations, including Iran. Iran's security chief, Mohsen Rezaei, cautioned that if hostilities with the US resume, regional undersea cables, data centers, and AI sites could be targeted. Field Marshal Munir's visit coincided with reports from Reuters claiming Iran had deliberately prolonged negotiations with Washington to undermine US President Donald Trump's political standing before the November midterm elections, while simultaneously preparing for potential resumption of military action. One Iranian official stated, \"The clerical establishment is determined not to grant Trump a political victory.\" Additionally, Iranian officials suggested that there was little likelihood of a breakthrough before the November 3 election. Tehran has stipulated that its conditions for ending hostilities and reopening the Strait of Hormuz must be met prior to initiating nuclear negotiations. Iran proposed reopening the crucial waterway within seven days, contingent upon the removal of the US maritime blockade, alleviation of restrictions on Iranian oil exports, release of frozen assets, and cessation of hostilities across all fronts. The impasse is exacerbated by Iran's economic strain due to sanctions and the blockade. Shipping through the strait remains severely impeded. Iranian hardline news agency Fars suggested that Field Marshal Munir's visit was linked to rising oil prices, stating that the trip had been unlikely to materialize as recently as Sunday but was finalized on Monday as crude prices neared $110 a barrel. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi affirmed on Sunday that Tehran's proposal remained in effect and that communications continued through mediators. The Reuters report also indicated that Tehran believed US and Israeli attacks could resume, despite President Trump's assertion that Washington would refrain from striking Iran again before November 3. The officials emphasized Tehran's deepened distrust of Washington following previous attacks that derailed diplomatic efforts, including strikes in June 2025 and the commencement of the war in February, following another round of talks. Tehran has warned that any US attack on Pickaxe Mountain, a deeply buried site near the Natanz nuclear complex, would provoke retaliation. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei dismissed claims that Washington could strike the site without facing a response, describing the notion as \"nothing more than a claim.\" He asserted that \"the era of hitting and running is over,\" warning that Iran would not remain silent and would retaliate with at least equal force to any US strike. President Trump has threatened a potential strike on Pickaxe Mountain, where Iran is constructing a heavily fortified underground facility, the purpose of which remains unclear.",
  "summary": "Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, has arrived in Tehran with an official delegation to meet senior Iranian officials, amid stalled diplomatic efforts to end the war between Iran and the US. Field Marshal Munir is in the Iranian capital to discuss efforts to resolve the conflict and broader regional developments, the official Irna news agency reported. Islamabad has played a central…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}