CDF Munir meets Iranian President Pezeshkian for high-level talks to promote diplomacy

Defense chief and chief of army staff Field Marshal Asim Munir concluded his “very productive” visit to Iran, resulting in “encouraging progress” towards a final understanding of the framework of a deal with the United States after intensive negotiations with Tehran, the military’s media wing said on Saturday.

According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), CDF Munir concluded a short but “very productive” official visit to Iran.

“During the visit, the field marshal held high-level engagements with Iranian leadership as part of ongoing mediation efforts aimed at promoting de-escalation and constructive engagement, amid regional tensions that have simmered since the April 8, 2026 ceasefire,” it added.

Read: Iran says US ‘betrayal, contradictions, excessive demands’ disrupt talks

It added that CDF Munir called on Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni.

The discussions remained focused on accelerating the ongoing consultation process to support peace and stability in the region and to reach a final agreement, the statement said.

According to the ISPR, the discussions were held in a positive and constructive environment and contributed meaningfully to the mediation process.

“The intensive negotiations over the last twenty-four hours have resulted in encouraging progress towards a final understanding,” it said, adding that the Iranian leadership appreciated Pakistan’s role in the process.

“The Iranian leadership appreciated Pakistan’s sincere and constructive role in facilitating dialogue and promoting peaceful resolution of regional issues,” the statement said.

Earlier, on arrival, CDF Munir was received by the Iranian Interior Minister along with senior civil and military officials.

Reuters reported Iran’s top negotiator and parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf told CDF Munir during a meeting that Iran would not compromise on the rights of its nation and country, state television reported.

He said Iran’s armed forces had rebuilt their capabilities during the ceasefire and that if the US “foolishly restarts the war”, the consequences would be “more crushing and bitter”.

The field marshal had reached Tehran on Friday as part of ongoing mediation efforts. He was received and warmly welcomed by the Iranian Minister of Interior Eskandar Momeni. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi was also present at the reception.

In recent months, Pakistan has attracted international attention for its involvement in mediation efforts between Iran and the United States amid the Middle East crisis.

On February 28, the United States and Israel launched a joint offensive against Iran. Tehran retaliated with attacks on Israel and other Gulf countries that host US assets.

Pakistan subsequently positioned itself as a key broker for peace, brokering a two-week ceasefire and hosting the highest-level US-Iran talks since the Islamic Revolution of 1979. Although the “Islamabad Talks” ended without an agreement, the ceasefire was held and later extended at Islamabad’s request.

Since then, the two sides have exchanged proposals and counter-proposals in an attempt to reach a middle ground and resume a second round of direct talks aimed at ending the conflict, which has already disrupted global energy supplies and daily life across the region.

While Pakistan remains hopeful for the resumption of direct talks, sources said there was no “significant” change in Iran’s previous stance on the nuclear issue in its response to US proposals.

According to sources, Tehran’s response – delivered to the US via 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, citing 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.