ISLAMABAD: Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, accompanied by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, has departed for Iran as part of Pakistan’s efforts to promote regional peace and stability, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Monday.
According to the military’s media wing, Field Marshal Munir’s visit will “focus on promoting efforts towards peaceful, lasting and comprehensive resolution of the conflict in the Middle East”.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqai had said on Sunday that CDF Munir was expected to visit Tehran to continue diplomatic efforts aimed at restoring peace and security in the region.
Baqai said the Pakistani delegation’s visit was intended to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Iran and Pakistan and continue “Pakistan’s good offices in support of peace and security in the region”.
During the visit, Field Marshal Munir is expected to hold meetings with senior Iranian officials.
The Middle East conflict began after the United States and Israel launched a major wave of strikes against Iran on February 28, prompting Tehran to retaliate across the region. A ceasefire on April 8 brought nearly 40 days of intense bombardment to an end, though tensions later centred on control of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has maintained control over the strategically important waterway since the conflict began. While reopening the strait has become a priority for the United States due to its importance to global oil and gas supplies, Tehran has said it will remain closed until Washington ends its naval blockade of Iranian ports, removes oil sanctions and releases Iranian assets frozen abroad.
Pakistan has played a significant role in efforts to prevent further escalation between Iran and the United States, including brokering a memorandum of understanding in June. However, peace negotiations currently appear to have reached an impasse.
Last week, US President Donald Trump announced that Washington would intensify economic pressure on Iran “on an unprecedented scale”. The United States has also called on other countries, including China, to support efforts to further isolate Iran economically.
Washington is expected to announce further details of the planned sanctions on Monday, which US officials have described as “the toughest sanctions in history” on Iran.
