Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran as Pakistan continued efforts to support dialogue between Iran and the United States.
During the meeting, Naqvi conveyed a special message from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir to the Iranian president, according to sources.
Naqvi also briefed Pezeshkian on the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement. He reportedly took the Iranian president into confidence regarding the trilateral agreement and related developments.
Iranian media reported that Naqvi is assisting Field Marshal Asim Munir in supporting peace efforts. It said Munir has remained in contact with officials from Gulf countries, Iran and the United States.
Pezeshkian expressed Iran’s readiness to deepen relations with Pakistan in areas of mutual interest. He highlighted the longstanding historical, cultural and people-to-people ties between the two countries.
The Iranian president said Tehran highly valued Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening solidarity and expanding bilateral relations. He called for greater use of existing opportunities to increase economic and trade cooperation.
Pezeshkian also stressed the need to expand cultural and security cooperation between the two countries. He said stronger relations would benefit both nations and contribute to regional stability.
The Iranian president said Iran was ready to further deepen relations with Pakistan. He also called for greater joint cooperation at a time of heightened regional tensions.
Naqvi said his visit was aimed at following up on agreements and understandings reached during Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni’s recent visit to Pakistan.
The Pakistani minister described relations between Pakistan and Iran as strong and long-standing. He said Islamabad was determined to pursue the comprehensive development of ties with Tehran.
Naqvi also stressed the need to implement existing bilateral agreements. He said commitments should be operationalized instead of remaining only on paper.
The minister also met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The two sides discussed bilateral relations and important diplomatic developments.
The meeting comes as Pakistan seeks to maintain its communication channel with Tehran. Islamabad is also encouraging dialogue between Iran and Washington amid continuing regional tensions.
Pakistan had invited Araghchi and Iranian parliament speaker and chief negotiator Bagher Ghalibaf to visit Islamabad. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei later said the visit would take place at an appropriate time.
Naqvi’s Tehran visit therefore reflects Islamabad’s effort to keep its mediation efforts active. Pakistan is seeking opportunities to revive diplomatic engagement between Iran and the United States.
The Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz remain sensitive areas amid continuing tensions. Pakistan, alongside Qatar, has been involved in efforts to encourage dialogue between Washington and Tehran.
Naqvi’s visit also included discussions on energy and trade cooperation. He met Iranian Petroleum Minister Mohsen Paknejad to explore opportunities for stronger bilateral economic ties.
Paknejad highlighted potential cooperation in petroleum and oil-products trade. He also pointed to opportunities involving technical and engineering services.
The two sides also discussed opportunities in the refining sector. Such cooperation could add an economic dimension to Pakistan’s broader diplomatic engagement with Iran.
Pakistan has increasingly positioned itself as a regional mediator. Naqvi, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir have remained involved in contacts with Iranian leadership.
Islamabad has repeatedly called for restraint and dialogue. Pakistani officials maintain that diplomacy remains the best way to prevent further regional escalation.
With diplomatic contacts continuing between Iran and the United States, Pakistan is seeking to reactivate its own communication channel. Islamabad also wants previous agreements to develop into a wider peace process.
