Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir has concluded a day-long visit to Iran alongside Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, as part of Islamabad's diplomatic efforts to break the deadlock in the ongoing US-Iran conflict and advance efforts towards lasting peace and regional stability, the military's media wing said. According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Tuesday, the two officials held a series of high-level meetings in Tehran focused on preventing further escalation, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and bringing the conflict to an end.
Field Marshal Munir met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Supreme Leader's representative on the Supreme National Security Council Mohsen Rezaei, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni. The discussions also covered regional peace and possible ways to reach a negotiated settlement to the disputes, the statement said. The Iranian leadership appreciated Pakistan's constructive role and sincere efforts to facilitate dialogue, de-escalation and a peaceful resolution of the conflict, according to the statement.
The visit was part of Pakistan's broader diplomatic efforts to help break the deadlock in the conflict and explore ways to achieve lasting peace and an end to regional instability. Field Marshal Munir was received on arrival by Interior Minister Momeni and other senior Iranian civil and military officials. Pakistan has increasingly sought to position itself as a mediator between Tehran and Washington, with Islamabad maintaining channels of communication between the two sides as tensions have escalated.
The latest visit comes amid heightened tensions over US plans for more sanctions against Iran, which Washington has warned could place further pressure on the country's already strained economy. The United States and Israel began strikes on Iran on February 28, with the conflict causing thousands of deaths, most of them in Iran and Lebanon. The strikes have degraded Iran's conventional military capabilities and infrastructure, while also placing further pressure on its economy.
Iran, however, retains missile and drone capabilities that could threaten US interests and Gulf states, as well as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The confrontation has severely disrupted traffic through the vital waterway, putting additional pressure on global energy markets. The status of Iran's nuclear programme also remains uncertain, amid US and Israeli efforts to dismantle its nuclear capabilities.
Field Marshal Munir's visit comes as the US administration prepares to announce details of planned sanctions against Iran. US officials have described the measures as potentially the toughest sanctions ever imposed on Tehran. US President Donald Trump has also warned countries against providing Iran with any type of lifeline, as Washington seeks to further isolate Tehran.
The disruption to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz has added to the pressure on Iran. Tehran has threatened to target unauthorised oil tankers attempting to pass through the strategic waterway, while its economy continues to struggle under the weight of sanctions. Iran entered the conflict with high inflation, a weakening currency, energy shortages and longstanding structural economic problems. The war has compounded those difficulties through damage to infrastructure and disrupted trade.