Naqvi, Iranian counterpart confirms stability push Tehran praises Islamabad’s role in easing tensions Two counts
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi meets his Iranian counterpart Eskandar Momeni in Tehran as he arrives on a two-day visit to Iran. SCREEN GRAB
ISLAMABAD:
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his Iranian counterpart Eskandar Momeni on Saturday reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen bilateral engagement and address common regional challenges, as Pakistan continued efforts to mediate between Tehran and Washington amid ongoing tensions in the region.
Naqvi arrived in Tehran on a two-day visit and was received by Momeni, marking the start of discussions aimed at facilitating dialogue and reviewing regional developments.
The visit comes at a critical time as Pakistan remains engaged in diplomatic efforts to help revive direct talks between Iran and the United States after months of conflict and failed negotiations.
Iran’s WANA news agency reported that the two ministers held detailed discussions on regional stability and bilateral cooperation.
“Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening interactions to address common regional challenges,” the report said.
During the meeting, Momeni reportedly praised the efforts of the Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, describing his role in pursuing a solution to the ongoing regional tensions as “sincere and committed”.
He also appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to promote regional peace and stability.
Both sides further reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the long-standing and brotherly ties between Iran and Pakistan, while stressing the importance of continued cooperation to promote peace, security and prosperity throughout the region.
Several senior Iranian officials and representatives of the Pakistani embassy in Tehran also attended the talks.
Earlier, an Interior Ministry spokesman told Anadolu that the visit was already planned.
The visit marks Naqvi’s second consecutive trip to Iran in as many months. Last month he had also visited the country along with Field Marshal Asim Munir.
During this visit, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who received the Pakistani delegation, expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s role in facilitating dialogue efforts with the United States, saying it reflected the “deep and great bilateral relationship” between the two countries.
“Our commitment to promoting peace and stability in the region remains strong – and shared,” he said.
The latest diplomatic engagement comes as Pakistan continues to mediate between Washington and Tehran in an effort to secure a lasting end to the conflict that began with US and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28, followed by Iranian retaliation against Israel and other regional countries that host US assets.
Pakistan had earlier brokered a two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran on 8 April, followed by critical talks in Islamabad involving high-level delegations from both countries on 11 and 12 April.
But the negotiations failed to produce a breakthrough, and neither side was able to reach an agreement to end the conflict.
Since then, both sides have continued to exchange proposals and counter-proposals in an attempt to find common ground and resume a second round of direct talks aimed at ending the crisis, which has already disrupted global energy supplies and affected daily life across the region.
While Pakistan remains hopeful that direct talks can resume, sources said there has been no “significant” change in Iran’s previous stance on the nuclear issue in its latest response to US proposals.
According to the sources, Tehran’s response, delivered to the US through Islamabad last week, focused primarily on an “immediate” end to hostilities, with “little” [in it] in relation to Washington’s core demands on Iran’s nuclear program”.
Iran, the sources added, has proposed “broader and separate” talks on the nuclear issue because of its “complexity.”
However, Tehran has “reiterated” its willingness to halt uranium enrichment for a period of five years, while rejecting Washington’s demand for a 20-year moratorium, according to the sources.
