Pakistan Army Chief Visits Tehran Following Call With President Trump

Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi arrived in Tehran on Monday to meet with senior Iranian officials, including Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni. According to three Pakistani sources, President Donald Trump initiated a phone call with Munir last week ahead of the trip. Sources stated that the primary U.S. request was for Pakistan to use its influence to bring Iran back to negotiations, particularly as Trump has warned of economic consequences for any country providing a lifeline to Iran.

Pakistan's military, through the Inter-Services Public Relations, described the visit as part of efforts to promote regional peace and stability and to seek a comprehensive resolution to the conflict in the Middle East. Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei noted that bilateral ties between Islamabad and Tehran are at one of their strongest stages. Munir was also expected to meet with individuals close to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.

Beyond U.S. Iran tensions, sources indicated that Munir intended to discuss attacks by Iran aligned Houthi fighters on Saudi Arabia and a mutual defence agreement between Pakistan, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia. Pakistan has previously acted as a mediator, brokering a memorandum of understanding in June, though peace negotiations currently appear stalled. This occurs as the U.S. prepares to announce what officials describe as the toughest sanctions in history against Iran, while Iran maintains control over the Strait of Hormuz until specific U.S. demands are met.