Naqvi briefs PM, CDF on meetings in Iranian capital, Pezeshkian says all avenues remain open on our side
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi made another trip to Tehran on Wednesday after returning home only Monday, part of what appears to be intense diplomatic efforts aimed at striking a deal to end the Iran-U.S. war.
Naqvi’s second visit in days underscored a growing sense of urgency, with some sources saying President Donald Trump had set a timetable for negotiations to succeed or risk further military escalation.
Additionally, a U.S. source said Trump told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that mediators were working on a “letter of intent” that the United States and Iran would sign to formally end the war and launch a 30-day period of negotiations on issues including 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 Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir about his meetings in Tehran before leaving for the Iranian capital.
What stood out as particularly significant during the latest trip was Naqvi’s meeting with Ahmad Vahidi, a senior commander in 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 with Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian for the second time in less than a week.
After his meeting with Naqvi, the Iranian president wrote on X: “Iran has always honored its commitments and explored all avenues to avoid war; all avenues remain open on our side. Forcing Iran to surrender through coercion is just an illusion. Mutual respect in diplomacy is far wiser, safer and more lasting than war.
Sources said Naqvi’s latest visit was “a continuation of the previous trip” and that his agenda was focused on resuming negotiations 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 as Pakistan exchanges messages between Tehran and Washington in a bid to secure a permanent ceasefire and restart negotiations.
Pakistan’s mediation efforts have received overwhelming support from several countries, particularly in the Gulf region, which fears greater instability if the war resumes.
President Trump revealed the other day that he halted planned strikes against Iran at the request of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. He said he agreed to the request while serious negotiations were underway.
Hours after Naqvi landed in Tehran, the Saudi foreign minister issued a statement supporting Pakistan’s efforts and calling on all parties to seize the opportunity.
Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, in a statement published on
“Saudi Arabia also highly appreciates the ongoing mediation efforts led by Pakistan in this regard. Saudi Arabia hopes that Iran will seize the opportunity to avoid the dangerous implications of escalation and respond urgently to efforts to advance negotiations leading to a comprehensive agreement to achieve lasting peace in the region and the world,” Prince Faisal bin Farhan added.
The reference to restoring the Strait of Hormuz to its pre-war status suggests that freedom of navigation on this vital waterway has become a central issue in ongoing diplomacy, amid fears that any prolonged disruption could have serious consequences for global energy supplies and regional stability.
Iran, however, wants to exert greater control over the waterway and is even considering imposing tolls. Other stakeholders are not in favor of such a move and want the strait to return to its pre-war status.
