What is Pakistan army chief Asim Munir doing in Iran?

US-Iran war: Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir has landed in Tehran amid the US-Iran war, along with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. This comes as talks appear to be failing between the two warring sides, with both issuing threats to the other.

While the US has threatened Iran and its trading partners of dire economic consequences and isolation, Tehran has also threatened to completely close off the Strait of Hormuz.

In between this Pakistan that has close relations with Trump and Iran is again in the midst of the efforts for peaceful resolution to the conflict. Pakistan’s military stated that Munir would focus on promoting a peaceful, lasting, and comprehensive solution, describing the visit as part of Pakistan’s efforts to support regional peace and stability.

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This is Munir’s third visit to Tehran. Pakistan continues to mediate between the US and Iran in talks aimed at ending the war that has now entered its sixth month.

US President Donald Trump also spoke with Munir last week before the trip, according to three Pakistani sources. One source told Reuters that the main US request was for Pakistan to use its influence to bring Iran back to negotiations. Two sources said the call was initiated by Trump.

The visit comes amid heightened tensions over proposed new US sanctions on Iran. A Pakistani government source said the talks would also address recent developments in the conflict, including Trump’s threat of tougher sanctions. US officials said details of the planned measures, described as "the toughest sanctions in history," would be announced on Monday. Iran has threatened a military response, while Trump warned of economic consequences against any country providing support to Iran as he seeks to isolate the Islamic Republic.

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Pakistan has remained a trading partner of Iran during the recent fighting and has worked for several months to ease regional tensions, Baghaei said. One Pakistani source said Munir was expected to meet people close to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei on Monday. Another source said Munir would also discuss recent attacks by Iran-aligned Houthi fighters on Saudi Arabia, a Pakistani ally, and the recently signed mutual defence agreement between Pakistan, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia.

One source told Reuters that Munir would discuss peace under Islamabad’s memorandum of understanding, Trump’s warning, and the situation after the Pakistan-Turkey-Saudi Arabia agreement and Houthi issues with Iranian leaders. Pakistan’s earlier mediation efforts led to an interim peace agreement signed in June, but it faltered amid new fighting between Iran and the US that has threatened to widen into a broader regional conflict.

A third Pakistani source said there was a trust deficit on both sides, referring to the US and Iran, and that Munir’s aim was to reduce this lack of mutual trust. Two Pakistani government sources confirmed Munir’s visit, with one saying Iran and Pakistan were in direct contact.

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Munir’s visit will be followed by a delegation from Oman, which is negotiating a new framework with Tehran for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.