Iran FM meets Pakistan army chief during Islamabad visit

ISLAMABAD: Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Pakistan’s Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir on Saturday during an official visit to Islamabad as the two sides discussed bilateral ties and regional developments.

The meeting marked Araghchi’s first formal engagement with the army chief during his visit to Pakistan.

Araghchi is also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif later on Saturday at the Prime Minister’s House, where senior political and military officials are expected to be present.

Sources said the talks would focus on bilateral relations, the regional security situation and broader diplomatic issues, amid heightened tensions in the Middle East.

Following his engagements in Pakistan, Araghchi is expected to travel to Muscat and Moscow to continue diplomatic consultations.

Officials said outcomes of consultations with Pakistan could be shared with U.S. counterparts, while a decision on a possible visit by an American delegation to Pakistan would be taken later.

Iranian officials have said the timing of any direct negotiations between Tehran and Washington has not yet been finalised, adding that greater clarity is expected after the Muscat and Moscow visits.