Pakistan Pushes Iran-US De-escalation as Munir Holds Tehran Talks

Pakistan intensified its diplomatic effort to revive negotiations over the Iran-US conflict as Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir held a series of high-level meetings in Tehran. Iranian officials conveyed during the discussions that Washington should take the first steps toward de-escalation by fulfilling commitments Tehran says were made under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.

Field Marshal Munir met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Mohsen Rezaei, the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi accompanied him during the one-day visit, which also included engagements with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni, according to Pakistan's military.

The Inter-Services Public Relations said the discussions focused on preventing further escalation, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and bringing the conflict to an early conclusion. Pakistan and Iran also discussed regional security and possible pathways toward a negotiated settlement, with the Iranian leadership acknowledging Islamabad's efforts to facilitate dialogue and reduce tensions.

Iranian officials, however, maintained that progress would require action from the United States. Ghalibaf said Tehran remained committed to the Islamabad understanding but believed Washington needed to meet its obligations. Rezaei similarly expressed deep distrust of the United States and stressed that any future arrangement would have to address Iran's security concerns and the economic and military pressure it says it faces.

Pakistan continues to regard the Islamabad framework as a potential route back to diplomacy following the return of hostilities after the expiry of a 60-day armistice. Islamabad has remained engaged with both sides, seeking to preserve channels of communication at a time when renewed confrontation and economic pressure have increased uncertainty across the region.

Munir's Tehran visit followed a telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump last week. The details of that exchange have not been publicly disclosed, but the contact gave Pakistan another direct channel with Washington ahead of Munir's discussions with Iranian leaders. His visit also coincided with fresh US economic measures against Iran, including pressure connected to Tehran's oil trade.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a central issue in the dispute. Iran has linked wider reopening of the strategic waterway to what it describes as US compliance with previous commitments. Separate negotiations involving Iran and Oman are also addressing navigation arrangements, with Omani Foreign Minister Badr Al Busaidi expected in Tehran as diplomatic activity around the strait continues.

For Pakistan, the latest talks underline Islamabad's effort to remain an intermediary and prevent a broader regional escalation. The immediate next steps are expected to depend on whether Washington and Tehran can narrow their differences over the Islamabad understanding, sanctions and the future operation of the Strait of Hormuz. Pakistani officials are expected to continue diplomatic contacts as they seek conditions for renewed negotiations.