CDF Munir, Iran FM Araghchi discuss regional security during meeting in Islamabad

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir in Islamabad on Saturday, according to the Iranian Embassy.

The Iranian Embassy said that the two leaders held discussions on regional security and bilateral cooperation between Islamabad and Tehran.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and National Security Advisor General Asim Malik also participated in the meeting.

The Iranian delegation includes Deputy Foreign Minister Gharibabadi, Ambassador Reza Amiri Moqadam and Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei, the embassy said.

The two countries emphasised promotion of peace and stability in the region, agreeing to further strengthen Pakistan-Iran relations and security cooperation.

Iranian Foreign Mini­ster Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad late on Friday — carrying Tehran’s formal response to proposals conveyed earlier by the US through Pakistan — as renewed diplomatic activity gathered pace. He was received by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and CDF Munir.

Ahead of the visit, he had held separate telephone conversations with Dar and Field Marshal Munir, focusing on the cea­sefire and the diplomatic track.

The visit comes at a delicate moment in the US-Iran standoff, with a fragile, indefinitely extended ceasefire holding on paper, while core disputes over the naval blockade, nuclear restrictions and sequ­encing of concessions remain unresolved.

Pakistani officials said the Iranian minister’s trip was primarily aimed at conveying Tehran’s considered response after internal consultations.

“Purpose of my visits is to closely coordinate with our partners on bilateral matters and consult on regional developments. Our neighbors are our priority,” Araghchi said in a post on X before departing Tehran for his three-country tour, that also includes stops in Oman and Russia.

The current phase of US-Iran negotiations follows the first round of direct talks held in Islamabad on April 11 and 12, which ended after more than 20 hours without agreement but kept the diplomatic channel open.

Since then, exchanges have continued indirectly through Pakistan, with both sides calibrating positions while avoiding a formal breakdown.

The ceasefire, originally brokered around April 7 and 8, has been extended without a defined timeline, creating space for diplomacy but also prolonging uncertainty. Officials in Islamabad described the situation as fluid, with mediation efforts focused on bridging the sequencing gap between US demands and Iranian preconditions.