Iran’s Pezeshkian, Ghalibaf discuss mediation efforts with CDF Asim Munir

TEHRAN: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian discussed mediation efforts and regional developments during a meeting with Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, in Tehran, Iranian news outlet Nournews reported on Tuesday.

Pakistan has been playing a key mediating role between Iran and the United States, with its earlier efforts resulting in an interim peace agreement signed in June. However, the Islamabad Memorandum quickly faltered as fighting between the two countries resumed weeks later.

Separately, Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf told Pakistan’s army chief that Washington could not gain Tehran’s trust unless it implemented Iran’s seven conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, according to an Iranian readout of the meeting.

Iran’s conditions include, among other demands, the lifting of the US blockade on its ports, ‌the lifting of US sanctions on its oil exports as well as ending hostilities on all regional fronts.

Meanwhile, Iran’s security chief Rezaei said all enriched nuclear materials in the country would remain there during a meeting with Field Marshal Asim Munir, Tasnim news agency reported.

The discussions come amid continued diplomatic efforts to address regional tensions and find a way forward in the conflict between Iran and the United States.

Earlier, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said the discussions would relate to negotiations but would focus primarily on bilateral relations and strengthening cooperation between the two countries.

The trip comes amid persistent regional tensions and stalled efforts to resume US-Iran negotiations. The two countries have been in conflict since February, with hostilities continuing around the Strait of Hormuz despite earlier attempts to secure a lasting settlement.

On Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi blamed Washington for insecurity in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil and gas shipments that Iran has sought to blockade during the war launched by the US and Israel in February.

Pakistan continues mediation efforts

Pakistan has played a key mediating role between Iran and the US this year, with CDF Munir and senior civilian leaders, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, engaging with Iranian leadership in efforts to broker a lasting peace.

According to Tasnim, the military chief’s visit is also expected to cover measures to strengthen bilateral ties between Islamabad and Tehran.

Munir’s planned visit follows earlier talks with Iranian leaders, which focused on preventing further escalation, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and expediting an end to the conflict.

Both sides reached an interim peace deal in June, brokered by Pakistan, but the agreement collapsed weeks later in July. Hostilities in and around the Strait of Hormuz have continued since then, while efforts to restart negotiations remain stalled.

Tehran insists that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) brokered with Pakistan’s help should remain the basis of any future peace deal. Munir’s planned visit to Tehran will be his fifth since the agreement was reached.

The latest diplomatic push comes as tensions across the Middle East persist, including attacks by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis on Saudi infrastructure.