CDF Munir, Naqvi meet Iranian interior minister upon arrival in Tehran

Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met with Iranian Interior Minister Iskandar Momeni after arriving in Iran on Monday. Earlier, the military’s media wing announced CDF Munir and Naqvi's departure for Tehran, as part of Pakistan’s efforts to promote regional peace and stability,  According to a statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), CDF Munir's visit will focus on “promoting efforts towards peaceful, lasting and comprehensive resolution” of the conflict in the Middle East. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said CDF Munir would head an official delegation to Tehran as part of Islamabad's efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation with Iran and promote peace and security in the region. "The visit is aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation between Iran and Pakistan, as well as continuing Pakistan's good offices efforts to help strengthen peace and security in the region," Baghaei said. He added that CDF Munir would hold talks with senior Iranian officials during the visit. Read: Syrian foreign minister, CDF Munir discuss regional security The CDF's trip will be his fourth visit to Tehran since the conflict between Iran and the United States erupted in February. He previously travelled to Iran in April and May as part of Pakistan's mediation efforts, and again in July to attend the funeral of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. His repeated engagement with the Iranian leadership underscores the important role Islamabad has sought to play in keeping communication channels open between Tehran and Washington. Pakistan emerged as a key mediator after the US-Iran conflict escalated earlier this year, with the subsequent brokering of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Iran and the US. The MoU, signed in June, envisaged a 60-day window for negotiations on key issues, including sanctions relief and Iran's nuclear programme. High-level talks were subsequently held in Switzerland under the framework, with Pakistan and Qatar acting as mediators. The process, however, failed to produce a final agreement within the envisaged timeframe. Read More: Iranian interior minister discusses border security with CDF Asim Munir The 60-day period expired on August 17 without a breakthrough. Iran has disputed the description of the timeframe as a deadline, with Baghaei saying earlier that the MoU contained no mandatory 60-day deadline and that the period could be extended if the parties failed to reach an agreement. Pakistan, nevertheless, maintained that the Islamabad framework remained relevant and could provide a template for renewed negotiations whenever both sides were ready to return to dialogue. CDF Munir's latest visit therefore comes as Islamabad seeks to keep its mediation efforts alive despite the collapse of the initial negotiating timetable. CDF Munir is also expected to discuss wider regional security issues with the Iranian leadership. The talks are likely to take place against the backdrop of growing concern over the Strait of Hormuz, the continuing confrontation between Tehran and Washington and the potential impact of new US economic measures on Iran and its trading partners. For Pakistan, the challenge is particularly delicate. Islamabad has close security and diplomatic ties with Iran while also maintaining important strategic and economic relations with the US and Gulf countries.