US-Iran negotiations: Pakistan’s Asim Munir visits Tehran to deliver message and discuss next talks

Pakistan’s Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir arrived in Tehran on Wednesday for talks. The visit formed part of Pakistan’s attempts to ease the US-Iran conflict. A military statement said the delegation included Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. Iranian media reported that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi welcomed the group on arrival.

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Iran’s state-run Press TV said the delegation aimed to pass a US message. It also aimed to help set up the next round of negotiations. The diplomatic activity followed weekend talks in Islamabad that ended early Sunday. Those rare direct discussions ended without any agreement between the US and Iran.

US-Iran conflict talks and message exchanges via Pakistan

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said contacts carried on through Pakistan. The comments came in Tehran earlier on Wednesday. Iran said the message channel stayed open after the Islamabad meeting ended. "Since Sunday, when the Iranian delegation returned to Tehran, several messages have been exchanged through Pakistan,\" Irna reported.

Baqaei also rejected any approach based on pressure during talks. \"He said that if negotiations are based on one side imposing conditions on the other, that is not negotiation; that is dictation and imposition. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the Iranian nation will never accept such imposition.\" Iran later said the Islamabad talks failed due to excessive US demands.

US-Iran conflict talks and Trump’s comments on Islamabad

A day earlier, US President Donald Trump spoke about another possible meeting in Pakistan. Trump said a second round of talks with Iran could take place in Islamabad. Trump said it could happen over the next two days. \"You should stay there, really, because something could be happening over the next two days, and were more inclined to go there,\" Trump told The New York Post.

US Vice President JD Vance led the American delegation at the weekend meeting. Vance said the sides did not reach a deal. Vance cited Iran not giving up its nuclear programme as a key issue. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf led Iran’s delegation in long talks.

Ghalibaf said the Iranian side presented ideas for the future during discussions. Ghalibaf added that the other side did not gain Iran’s trust. Pakistani officials said another round was expected in the coming days. Geo News cited sources saying Pakistan ordered officials to prepare security and administrative steps.

US-Iran conflict talks and Shehbaz Sharif’s regional visits

The push also came as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif began official visits on Wednesday. The itinerary included Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Türkiye. Pakistan’s Foreign Office said Saudi Arabia and Qatar visits were bilateral. It said Shehbaz Sharif would discuss cooperation and regional peace and security with leaders.

The Foreign Office said the visits linked to efforts to help the US and Iran reach a deal. Pakistan has positioned itself as a channel between the two sides. The conflict began after the US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28. The fighting disrupted trade and shook global energy markets.

Pakistan officials said mediation efforts were continuing alongside planning for more talks. The Tehran visit involved Field Marshal Asim Munir and Mohsin Naqvi, according to ISPR. Iranian media reported the welcome by Abbas Araghchi. Pakistan has said it is working to support dialogue, as the conflict keeps pressuring trade and energy.

With inputs from PTI