Pakistan seeks to revive Iran-US mediation efforts

Pakistan is making fresh diplomatic efforts to revive its role as a mediator between Iran and the United States.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is making fresh diplomatic efforts to revive its role as a mediator between Iran and the United States.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi travelled to Tehran on Tuesday for talks with senior Iranian officials. During his visit, he met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and President Masoud Pezeshkian.

The visit is aimed at keeping Pakistan’s mediation channel active. Islamabad is seeking progress on the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which emerged from earlier efforts to ease tensions between Iran and the United States.

Naqvi was received in Tehran by Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni. He later held discussions with Araghchi on bilateral relations and regional developments.

Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts had slowed after Oman became more directly involved in talks concerning arrangements for navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

However, recent contacts between Oman and Iran appear to have created an opportunity for Islamabad to renew its broader mediation initiative.

A diplomatic source said Pakistan wants to follow up on the Islamabad MoU and encourage both sides to return to a wider diplomatic process.

The situation around the Strait of Hormuz remains particularly sensitive. The waterway is vital for international energy and trade routes.

Iran has maintained that the Islamabad MoU remains the key framework for resolving the wider dispute. Tehran has also linked the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to implementation of the commitments contained in the agreement.

Iran and Oman have been discussing arrangements for safer passage through the strategic waterway. Their discussions include possible shipping routes and mechanisms for managing navigation.

However, Tehran has indicated that any understanding with Oman would initially address technical matters. It would not necessarily represent a complete resolution of the wider dispute.

Iran has also called for concrete assurances from Washington before moving towards the next stage of negotiations. Tehran wants guarantees that can be verified rather than verbal commitments.

Pakistan has continued to encourage dialogue between the two sides.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also indicated that Washington and Tehran could be moving closer to an understanding. He said recent signals suggested that the two countries were again moving towards a possible peace arrangement or deal.

Meanwhile, Pakistan has invited Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi and Iranian Parliament Speaker Bagher Ghalibaf to visit Islamabad. Iranian officials have said the visit would take place at an appropriate time.

Naqvi’s trip to Tehran is therefore significant because Islamabad is maintaining direct engagement instead of waiting for the Iranian delegation to visit Pakistan.

During his meeting with President Pezeshkian, Naqvi described Pakistan-Iran relations as strong and longstanding. He conveyed Islamabad’s intention to further strengthen ties with Tehran.

Pezeshkian also stressed the importance of bilateral relations. He said stronger cooperation between Pakistan and Iran could serve their national interests and contribute to regional stability.

The discussions come amid broader diplomatic and security developments in the region. Pakistan recently signed a trilateral defence agreement with Saudi Arabia and Turkiye. Islamabad has maintained that the arrangement is defensive and is not directed against any country.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also discussed the agreement with his Iranian counterpart. He briefed Araghchi on its objectives and stressed its focus on strategic cooperation and regional peace.

At the same time, US President Donald Trump has adopted a tougher tone towards Iran’s negotiating team.

Trump described Iranian negotiators as difficult and accused them of making commitments privately and later presenting them differently in public.

He also warned that Iran’s economic problems and inflation were becoming increasingly difficult to sustain.

Trump said Washington could continue applying economic pressure on Tehran. He also suggested that the United States could take stronger measures if necessary.

The contrasting positions underline the difficulties facing diplomatic efforts.

Pakistan is now attempting to keep communication channels open with Tehran while encouraging a broader political process involving Iran and the United States.