ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir urged de-escalation and a peaceful resolution to the Iran war during talks in Tehran, the Pakistani military said on Saturday, amid Islamabad’s diplomatic efforts to turn a fragile ceasefire into a lasting settlement.
Pakistan’s powerful military commander was on a three-day visit to Iran to press for an end to the war with US and Israel, following high-level negotiations between US and Iranian officials in Islamabad on April 11 that ended without a breakthrough.
Munir called on Iran President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian and held separate meetings with Speaker of the National Assembly Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and Commander of Khatam ul Anbiya Headquarters Major General Ali Abdollahi.
“The discussions were focused upon bringing sustainable peace to the region, with particular emphasis on the evolving regional security environment, ongoing diplomatic engagements, and collaborative measures aimed at promoting enduring peace and stability in the region,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistani military’s media wing, said in a statement on the conclusion of the visit.
“The Field Marshal underscored the need for dialogue, de-escalation, and peaceful resolution of outstanding issues through sustained diplomatic engagements.”
Separately, Pakistan's prime minister concluded his trip to Turkey on Saturday, he said in a social media post, ending a three-nation diplomatic blitz as Islamabad pushes for an end to the war.
"I leave Antalya, with fond memories and a renewed commitment to further strengthening the enduring fraternal bonds between our two nations, and to continuing our close cooperation to advance dialogue and diplomacy for lasting peace and stability in the region," Shehbaz Sharif said on X.
Islamabad’s renewed diplomatic efforts have raised hopes of a breakthrough in the conflict, which has also seen Iran attack Israel and US interests as well as oil and other infrastructure in Gulf countries.
“The visit reflects Pakistan’s unwavering resolve to facilitate a negotiated settlement to the Middle East conflict and to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the region,” the ISPR said.
Washington and Tehran remained divided on key issues during the Apr. 11 talks in Islamabad. These issues included Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions relief and the future of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy route that Tehran has blocked since Israel and the US went to war with it in late February.
While Munir arrived in Iran this week, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has visited Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkiye in fresh efforts to broker peace, following the conclusion of US-Iran talks in Islamabad without an agreement.
US President Donald Trump this week said he “might” go to Islamabad if a peace deal with Iran is signed there, saying that the next round of in-person discussions may take place over the weekend.
