Naqvi briefs PM, CDF on meetings in Iran’s capital, Pezeshkian says all avenues remain open from our side
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi made another trip to Tehran on Wednesday after returning home only on Monday in what appeared to be intense diplomatic efforts to secure a deal to end the war between Iran and the United States.
Naqvi’s second visit within days underscored 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.
In addition, a US source said Trump told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that mediators were working on a “letter of intent” that both the US and Iran would sign to formally end the war and begin a 30-day period of negotiations on issues such as Iran’s nuclear program and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Naqvi, who returned to Pakistan after spending nearly four days in Iran, briefed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Defense Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir about his meetings in Tehran before leaving again for the Iranian capital.
What seemed particularly significant during the recent trip was Naqvi’s meeting with Ahmad Vahidi, a senior commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and considered among 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.
After his meeting with Naqvi, the Iranian president wrote on X: “Iran has consistently honored its commitments and explored all avenues to avert war; all avenues remain open from our side. Forcing Iran to surrender through coercion is nothing but an illusion. Mutual respect in diplomacy is far wiser, safer and more sustainable than war.”
Sources said Naqvi’s latest visit was “a continuation of the previous trip” and that his agenda focused on restoring talks between Washington and Tehran.
Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency, considered close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, also confirmed Naqvi’s arrival in Tehran.
Although Islamabad has not officially shared details of the minister’s engagements, the back-to-back visits come at a critical time when Pakistan is exchanging messages between Tehran and Washington in an effort to secure a permanent ceasefire and revive talks.
Pakistan’s mediation efforts have received overwhelming support from several countries, particularly the Gulf region, which fears greater instability if the war resumes.
President Trump revealed the other day that he had halted planned attacks on Iran at the request of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. He said he had accepted the request when serious negotiations took place.
Hours after Naqvi landed in Tehran, Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister issued a statement supporting Pakistan’s efforts and urging all sides to seize the opportunity.
The Saudi Foreign Minister, Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, in a statement issued on X, welcomed President Trump’s decision to “give diplomacy a chance” to reach an agreement to end the war and restore “the security and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz to its state before February 28, 2026.”
“Saudi Arabia also highly appreciates the ongoing mediation efforts by Pakistan in this regard. Saudi Arabia looks forward to Iran seizing the opportunity to avoid the dangerous consequences of escalation, and quickly respond to efforts to promote negotiations leading to a comprehensive agreement to achieve lasting peace in the region and the world,” added Prince Faisal bin Farhan.
The reference to restoring the Strait of Hormuz to its pre-war status suggested that freedom of navigation through the vital waterway has emerged as a central issue in ongoing diplomacy, amid fears that any prolonged disruption could have serious consequences for global energy supplies and regional stability.
However, Iran wants to exert greater control over the waterway and is even considering charging tolls. Other stakeholders are not in favor of such a move and want the strait restored to its pre-war status.
