US-Iran tensions: Pakistan Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi holds Tehran talks

Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi arrived in Tehran on Saturday as Pakistan continued efforts to ease tensions between the US and Iran. Reports said Naqvi was making a fresh push for peace talks. This visit came amid strain in West Asia that has hit energy markets and trade flows worldwide.

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Naqvi’s trip marked the third visit to Iran in recent weeks, media reports said. Pakistan has been acting as a channel between Washington and Tehran since the latest conflict ended. Since April 8, the US and Iran have been sending messages through Pakistan about possible peace talks.

Pakistan Iran peace talks and Tehran meetings

Iran’s state-run Press TV reported that Naqvi was received in Tehran by Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni. Tasnim, Iran’s semi-official news agency, said Naqvi would also meet senior officials. These planned discussions included talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during the visit.

Before leaving for Tehran, Naqvi met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office. The statement said the prime minister and the interior minister held consultations on the Tehran visit. It added that the prime minister offered guidance linked to the visit.

Pakistan Iran peace talks linked to SCO discussions

The Prime Minister’s Office said the meeting also reviewed steps being taken to keep peace and security across the country. The statement said the focus was on protecting citizens. Naqvi also briefed Shehbaz Sharif about recent meetings held on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit.

Those meetings took place in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, where Naqvi met Eskandar Momeni a day earlier. A post by the Interior Ministry on X said they exchanged views on Pakistan-Iran relations. The post also said they discussed recent regional developments during the Bishkek interaction.

Pakistan Iran peace talks amid US Iran conflict timeline

The conflict in West Asia began after the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28. Tehran responded with retaliatory action, which raised regional tensions. The situation affected global energy markets and disrupted trade. A ceasefire was later brokered on April 8, halting the conflict.

Pakistan hosted the first direct talks between the US and Iran in April, but the two countries did not reach a deal. Since then, Pakistan has remained part of the communication process between both sides. Naqvi’s Tehran visit formed part of this continuing effort to support dialogue.

With inputs from PTI