Asim Munir meets Iran leaders to push de-escalation and Hormuz reopening

Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir held talks with Iran's top leadership in Tehran on measures to prevent any further escalation in the West Asia conflict and to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, according to Pakistan's military. Munir, accompanied by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, completed a day-long visit that Islamabad said was part of its effort to help break the deadlock in the ongoing US-Iran conflict.

The Inter-Services Public Relations said the visit was "part of Pakistan's diplomatic efforts to end the stalemate in the ongoing US-Iran conflict and explore ways for achieving enduring peace and a permanent end to instability in the region". It said the Iranian leadership appreciated Pakistan's "constructive role" in promoting dialogue, de-escalation and a peaceful resolution, as the crisis continues to disrupt oil shipments and deepen regional tensions.

During the visit, Munir met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Mohsen Rezaei, the Supreme Leader's representative on the Supreme National Security Council, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni. The military said "comprehensive discussions" focused on steps to prevent further escalation, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the speedy end of the conflict. The talks also covered regional peace and possible ways to reach a negotiated settlement to the disputes.

Pakistan has been pushing for peace and trying to revive mediation in the stalled US-Iran negotiations. In April, a ceasefire was announced with an agreement to end the conflict, but the process later faltered and has not returned to track. An interim peace agreement, signed by Pakistan as a guarantor, also derailed last month after tensions in West Asia rose again and the US and Iran resumed military strikes. Pakistan's efforts to restart the talks have so far not produced results.

The conflict began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, leading to Iranian retaliation, disruption in the Strait of Hormuz and a rise in petroleum prices. The Strait of Hormuz, a 55-km-wide waterway between Iran and Oman linking the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea, is among the world's busiest and most strategically important shipping routes, with about a fifth of global oil having passed through it before the conflict began. Oil movement through the waterway has been badly hit, and Tehran has threatened to target unauthorised tankers trying to pass through it.

The visit also came as Washington increased pressure on Tehran through a wider round of sanctions that US officials said were aimed at cutting off Iran's economic lifeline and warning the world against doing business with it. President Donald Trump has also warned of economic consequences for countries providing what he called "any type of lifeline" to Iran. Against this backdrop, Pakistan said the Tehran visit was part of its wider diplomatic effort to help break the impasse and push for lasting peace and stability in the region.

With PTI Inputs