CDF Field Marshal Munir holds talks with Iranian leaders in Tehran, PM and Saudi crown prince discuss region
Field Marshal Asim Munir is received by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Tehran, Iran, on Wednesday. — ISPR
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan has mounted an unprecedented diplomatic push ahead of a potential second and possibly decisive round of negotiations between Iran and the United States, with its top civilian and military leaders deploying to key regional capitals to build momentum for a breakthrough.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday as part of a multi-country visit, while Chief of Defense Forces and Army Field Marshal Asim Munir made a surprise trip to Tehran, moves seen as part of a coordinated effort to lay the groundwork for the next phase of talks.
The flurry of commitments underscores Islamabad’s growing role as a mediator in one of the most volatile geopolitical crises, as it seeks to turn a fragile ceasefire into a structured peace process.
Field Marshal Munir, accompanied by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and other senior officials, was received in Tehran by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi upon his arrival.
According to officials familiar with the process, Field Marshal Munir has become a central figure in Pakistan’s diplomatic effort, maintaining secondary contacts with both Washington and Tehran and helping to build a degree of trust between the two adversaries.
Iranian officials noted the importance of the visit. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei, in his weekly briefing, confirmed that multiple messages exchanged between Iran and the United States were being transmitted through Pakistani intermediaries following the Islamabad talks.
“The exchange of messages continues,” Baqaei said, adding that since the Iranian delegation returned from Islamabad, “multiple messages have been exchanged through the Pakistani intermediary.”
In Washington, the White House said Wednesday that the United States is discussing holding a second round of peace talks with Iran in Pakistan and is optimistic about reaching a deal.
“Those talks are ongoing” and “we feel good about the prospects for a deal,” press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters, adding that more talks will “very likely” be held in Islamabad.
Commenting on reports of a US request for an extension of the ceasefire, Leavitt called them “bad reports” and said they were not true at this time.
“We remain very engaged in these negotiations, in these conversations. You heard directly this week from the vice president and the president that these conversations are productive, and that’s where we are now,” he said.
The press secretary also praised Pakistan and its leaders for their role in the mediation.
“I just want to make a point that is important to the president: Pakistan has been an incredible mediator throughout this process, and we really appreciate their friendship and their efforts to close this deal. They are the only mediators in these negotiations,” he said.
He added that many countries had offered to help, but President Trump believed it was important to “continue and expedite communication” through Pakistan.
A senior Iranian source told Reuters that Munir’s visit was aimed at “reducing the gaps” between Tehran and Washington, an indication that Pakistan is now deeply involved in shaping the contours of any future deal.
The latest diplomatic push comes after nearly 21 hours of intense negotiations in Islamabad between US and Iranian officials that ended without a deal.
Iran put forward a 10-point proposal during those talks, calling for the withdrawal of US forces, the lifting of sanctions and the recognition of its sovereignty over strategic waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz.
However, the Iranian delegation returned to Tehran citing a lack of trust and what it described as excessive demands from the United States.
Despite the stalemate, both sides have kept communication channels open through Pakistan, prompting cautious optimism that a second round could yield progress.
On the nuclear issue, Iran indicated limited flexibility. Baqaei noted that while uranium enrichment has long remained a point of controversy, “there is room for discussion on the type and level of enrichment,” while insisting that Iran must retain enrichment capacity based on its national needs.
Iranian state-linked media suggested that Tehran would decide whether to participate in the next round of talks after consultations with the visiting Pakistani delegation.
Reports also pointed to a recent ceasefire agreement involving Lebanon as a “positive sign” for future negotiations, although Iran has stressed that Washington must adopt a “reasonable framework” and avoid derailing talks through maximalist demands.
While U.S. officials have indicated interest in continuing dialogue, a date for the next round has not yet been set.
In parallel, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Saudi Arabia is seen as a critical component of Pakistan’s broader diplomatic calculus.
While in Jeddah, the prime minister met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other senior Saudi leaders and discussed regional security and ongoing efforts to stabilize the Middle East.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the discussions focused not only on bilateral relations but also on “regional peace and security,” reflecting Saudi Arabia’s critical role in any sustainable de-escalation framework.
Shehbaz is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and senior officials.
His broader itinerary includes visits to Qatar and Türkiye, where he will participate in the Antalya Diplomacy Forum and engage with world leaders to drum up support for Pakistan’s mediation efforts.
Pakistan’s stepped-up diplomacy follows its mediating role in a two-week ceasefire on April 8, which created space for the first round of mediated talks in Islamabad.
The conflict, triggered by escalating hostilities involving Iran, the United States and regional actors, had threatened to escalate into a broader war, prompting Islamabad to intervene as a neutral facilitator.
Officials say Pakistan’s approach has been to maintain a balanced engagement with all stakeholders while leveraging its credibility to bridge divisions.
The latest coordinated approach combining military-level engagement in Tehran and political diplomacy in Gulf capitals suggests Islamabad is attempting to align regional players ahead of the next round.
With tensions still simmering and trust deficits deep, the success of the next round of talks will largely depend on whether Pakistan can help both sides reach agreement on a workable framework.
For now, signals remain mixed, but the intensity of Pakistan’s diplomatic activity indicates a determination to push the process forward.
If successful, the effort could mark a rare diplomatic breakthrough in a conflict that has long defied resolution and significantly elevate Pakistan’s standing on the global stage.
