Pakistan interior minister heads to Tehran amid Iran-US diplomatic efforts

Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi travelled to Tehran on Monday for talks with senior Iranian officials as Islamabad continues diplomatic efforts aimed at easing tensions in the region, Iran's state news agency IRNA reported.

Why did Pakistan's interior minister go to Tehran?

Naqvi is expected to discuss bilateral relations and the latest regional developments, according to an official source cited by IRNA.

Pakistan has intensified diplomatic contacts with Tehran in recent months, including efforts to facilitate dialogue between Iran and the United States amid the conflict. Pakistan had not issued an official statement at the time of publication.

What happened during Naqvi's earlier visits to Tehran?

Naqvi has made several visits to Tehran this year. During a visit on Aug. 11, he met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni and Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council.

The meetings covered bilateral ties as well as regional developments and diplomatic efforts involving Washington and Tehran.

He returned to Tehran on Aug. 24 alongside Pakistan's military chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, for a daylong round of talks with senior Iranian leaders.

The discussions focused on preventing further escalation, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and finding a negotiated path to end the conflict, according to Pakistan's military.

What role has Pakistan played in Iran-US diplomacy?

That visit followed months of Pakistani diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran. Pakistan helped facilitate contacts that contributed to an April 8 ceasefire. US President Donald Trump publicly acknowledged discussions with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Munir before announcing the truce.

The ceasefire was followed by further negotiations and a June memorandum of understanding, but the diplomatic process subsequently faltered and fighting resumed.

By August, Pakistan was again seeking to help break the deadlock, with Naqvi and Munir holding talks in Tehran focused on de-escalation and a negotiated settlement.

Naqvi's latest trip comes amid continued efforts by regional countries to keep diplomatic channels open between Iran and the United States. Tehran and Washington remain at odds over key issues, including Iran's nuclear program and the status of the Strait of Hormuz, while mediators continue to seek a diplomatic resolution.