CDF Munir, Iran’s President, Top Leader Discusses De-escalation; Prime Minister, Qatar Emir emphasizes regional stability
ISLAMABAD:
Army Chief of Staff and Defense Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir held a series of high-level meetings in Tehran on Thursday with Iran’s top political and military leadership, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, as part of Islamabad’s efforts to lay the groundwork for the next round of Iran-US talks expected in Islamabad.
During the visit, Field Marshal Munir called on President Pezeshkian and discussed the evolving regional situation with particular focus on de-escalation efforts and the importance of sustained diplomatic engagement.
Both sides exchanged views on the prospects for peace and stability in the region and stressed the need for continued coordination to reduce tensions.
In a parallel set of engagements, the army chief met the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf, and senior commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), including the head of Khatam al-Anbiya’s central headquarters.
Discussions with the Iranian military leadership focused on steps taken under the new framework aimed at ending hostilities. Field Marshal Munir also shared insights from his recent interactions in Tehran as both sides discussed the broader regional security environment.
He stressed that efforts to end the conflict and reduce tensions must be pursued with consistency and seriousness, underscoring the importance of maintaining momentum in ongoing diplomatic and backchannel engagements.
The meetings are seen as part of Pakistan’s intensified diplomatic push to facilitate renewed dialogue between Tehran and Washington. Islamabad has increasingly positioned itself as a key intermediary amid heightened regional volatility.
Pakistan’s role has also received rare public support from Washington. A day earlier, the White House acknowledged Islamabad’s mediation efforts, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt stating that President Donald Trump saw Pakistan as the primary channel for engagement with Iran.
She noted that while several countries had offered assistance, the US preferred to continue its outreach through Pakistan and described Islamabad as an “effective and trusted mediator” who had helped bring both sides closer to a potential deal.
Meanwhile, on the diplomatic front, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Doha on Thursday and held a wide-ranging meeting with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
The two leaders discussed developments in the situation in the Middle East and agreed on the need to strengthen efforts aimed at de-escalation and regional stability.
Qatar’s leadership appreciated Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting dialogue, while Prime Minister Shehbaz reaffirmed solidarity with Qatar and condemned the recent attacks targeting the Gulf states.
Both sides also reviewed bilateral ties and agreed to strengthen cooperation in key sectors including security, defense and energy, while stressing the importance of ensuring uninterrupted global energy supplies amid ongoing tensions.
Officials said the volume of diplomatic engagements in Tehran and Doha reflect a coordinated Pakistani effort to build consensus and create conducive conditions for the resumption of meaningful talks between Iran and the United States.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Türkiye on Thursday on an official visit to attend the 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum.
The Governor of Antalya, Hulusi Sahin, warmly welcomed the Prime Minister and the Pakistani delegation at the airport.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkiye Yusuf Junaid along with senior diplomatic officials were also present on the occasion.
The Prime Minister will attend the 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum tomorrow.
During the forum, the Prime Minister will participate in the “Leadership Panel” to present Pakistan’s perspective.
On this occasion, bilateral meetings with the Prime Minister with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other important global leaders are also expected.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi and Prime Minister’s International Media Spokesperson Musharraf Zaidi are accompanying the Prime Minister as part of the Pakistani delegation.
An important four-nation foreign ministers’ conference is set to be held in Turkiye on Saturday (tomorrow), bringing together Pakistan, Turkiye, Egypt and Saudi Arabia to discuss pressing regional developments, particularly the security situation in the Middle East.
Diplomatic sources said the high-level meeting will see the participation of foreign ministers from these countries, with discussions expected to focus on regional stability, emerging security challenges and the search for coordinated diplomatic responses to ongoing crises.
Pakistan will be represented at the conference by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who will lead the country’s delegation in the consultations. The meeting is part of an ongoing process following an earlier round held in Islamabad, officials said.
The meeting is expected to examine in detail the continuing tensions between Iran and the United States, along with the broader implications of instability in the Middle East, as well as regional cooperation in various fields.
Diplomatic sources indicated that the agenda will include an in-depth review of current regional volatility, possible risks of escalation and development of a common strategy to support peace and stability in the region.
In addition to security-related issues, the participating countries are also expected to discuss broader areas of cooperation, including counter-terrorism, energy cooperation and strengthening regional connectivity frameworks.
The meeting comes at a time of increased tension between Iran and the United States. Diplomatic observers believe that the outcome of the discussions could play an important role in shaping future efforts to maintain peace and stability in the Middle East.
