ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi arrived in Tehran this week and met his counterpart, during which the two discussed the prospects of resuming peace talks between the US and Iran, the Pakistani embassy said in a statement amid Islamabad’s efforts to resolve the Middle East conflict.
Naqvi arrived in the Iranian capital on Saturday for a two-day visit as Pakistan aims to facilitate dialogue and promote regional peace, a statement from the Pakistani embassy in Tehran on Telegram said. He was received by the Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni upon his arrival at the airport.
Pakistan has positioned itself as a mediator since the war erupted following joint US-Israeli strikes on Tehran on Feb. 28. The attacks triggered Iranian retaliation and a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas passes.
While a fragile ceasefire announced on Apr. 8 remains in place, negotiations between Washington and Tehran have largely stalled following a first round of direct talks in Islamabad, with disputes over Iran’s uranium enrichment program and regional security continuing to hamper progress.
“Following the welcoming ceremony, the two interior ministers held an important bilateral meeting during which detailed discussions were held on Iran-Pakistan relations and the prospects for resuming peace talks,” the Pakistani embassy said.
The statement said both sides discussed issues of common interest, including sustainable peace in the region, and the latest regional developments.
The Pakistani embassy said Momeni praised the “sincere and committed efforts” of Pakistan’s chief of defense forces, Field Marshal General Asim Munir, to resolve the ongoing dispute. It added that the Iranian interior minister appreciated Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability.
“Iran has always been a supporter of peace and we deeply appreciate Pakistan’s efforts in this regard,” Momeni was quoted as saying by the embassy.
“We view Pakistan’s initiatives with great respect and admiration.”
Naqvi also met with Iran Parliament Speaker Dr. Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf on Sunday afternoon, the state-run IRNA news agency reported.
"Official meetings of the mediator's representative in Tehran with senior Iranian leaders continue," the news agency said, without sharing further details.
The second round of talks between the US and Iran was expected to take place last month. However, negotiations did not take place as US President Donald Trump canceled the planned visit of a US team of negotiators, citing differences with Iran’s peace proposal.
Pakistan, which has been accepted as the chief mediator by both Iran and the US, hopes to broker a peace agreement between the two sides as it attempts to mitigate the economic fallout of the ongoing conflict.
The conflict between the US and Iran has driven up oil prices and caused inflationary pressures among developing countries, among them Pakistan.
