Naqvi, Iranian counterpart Momeni discuss de-escalation, security issues in Bishkek

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his Iranian counterpart, Eskandar Momeni, held an important meeting in Kyrgyzstan’s capital, Bishkek, where they discussed efforts to reduce regional tensions and issues related to internal security, the Interior Ministry said on Friday.

In a post on X, the ministry said the two ministers held talks on Pakistan-Iran relations and recent developments in the region.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of a gathering of interior and public security ministers from Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member countries in Bishkek, which will be held from June 4 to June 6.

“De-escalation efforts and internal security issues were discussed,” the ministry said, adding that both sides exchanged views on regional developments during the meeting.

The ministry further said that both interior ministers stressed the need to continue diplomatic efforts on a sustained basis to ensure lasting peace in the region.

Naqvi last visited Tehran on May 21, which lasted four days and was his second visit in as many days, underscoring a growing sense of urgency, with some sources claiming President Donald Trump had set a timeline for the talks to succeed or risk renewed military escalation.

The interior minister met with Ahmad Vahidi, a senior commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and considered one of the country’s most powerful figures after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Naqvi also met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian for the second time in less than a week.

Two days after Naqvi’s visit, the Chief of Defense and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir visited Tehran and held meetings with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni.

According to the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), “discussions remained focused on expediting the ongoing consultation process to support peace and stability in the region and to reach a final agreement.”

Read: CDF Munir drafts peace agreement: Vawda

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.