TEHRAN: Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Saturday that he is in Tehran to deliver special messages from Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Iranian leadership, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as Islamabad intensifies diplomatic efforts to help revive US-Iran negotiations.
Naqvi’s visit comes amid renewed tensions between Washington and Tehran, where recent exchanges of strikes have raised concerns over the stability of a fragile ceasefire reportedly in place since April 8.
Upon arrival in Tehran, Naqvi was received by Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni. The two sides later held talks and briefed the media, according to Iranian state media reports.
Speaking to reporters, Naqvi said he was carrying a letter from Field Marshal Asim Munir along with a message from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for the Iranian leadership.
Iranian media also reported that Naqvi is scheduled to hold meetings with senior officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
Pakistan has been playing a mediating role between the United States and Iran since the escalation of hostilities in the Middle East earlier this year.
Tensions in the region flared again after US military strikes on Iranian radar sites following drone incidents, while Iran reportedly responded with missile attacks targeting US-linked positions in the Gulf region, including Kuwait and Bahrain. US Central Command said most missiles were intercepted and denied reports of damage to key installations.
Although a ceasefire was brokered in April with Pakistan’s involvement, both sides have continued to accuse each other of violating the truce through intermittent strikes and counter-strikes.
Earlier, before departing for Iran, Naqvi met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss his visit and review Pakistan’s internal law and order situation.