Pakistan PM, army chief to visit Saudi Arabia on Thursday: report

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir are expected to travel to Saudi Arabia on Thursday, Al Arabiya reported on Wednesday, citing sources.

The visit comes amid heightened diplomatic efforts across the Middle East as tensions over the U.S.-Iran conflict continue to reshape regional dynamics.

Why are Pakistan's PM and army chief visiting Saudi Arabia?

Pakistan is maintaining active contacts aimed at easing the U.S.-Iran crisis, and the Saudi Arabia visit forms part of that diplomatic push. Islamabad has sought to play a mediating role since the conflict spilled into the Gulf following Iranian attacks.

The future of the Strait of Hormuz has emerged as a central issue in efforts to defuse the tensions.

What is happening with the Strait of Hormuz?

The strategic waterway carries about a fifth of global oil shipments and has remained largely blocked since the war began in late February. An Al Arabiya correspondent reported on Tuesday that Pakistan had received positive signals from Iran regarding the reopening of the strait under regional oversight.

Pakistan's ambassador to Moscow, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, separately told Russia's TASS news agency that closed-door contacts were underway over the conflict between Washington and Tehran.

What has Trump said about the Strait of Hormuz?

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Iran would face severe consequences unless the Strait of Hormuz was reopened "very soon." "The strait is going to be open very soon, or they're going to get hit very hard, and then the strait's going to be open," Trump said during a visit to California in an interview with Fox News.

Trump also said discussions with Iran were progressing. "We're having very good discussions," he said, adding that Tehran wanted to reach an agreement to end the conflict that began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran. He said action was the only thing that mattered and that Iran wanted to make a deal.

When did Shehbaz Sharif last visit Saudi Arabia?

The expected Saudi visit follows Shehbaz Sharif's previous trip to the kingdom on June 5 and 6, made at the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. According to Pakistan's Foreign Office, that visit focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation across key sectors. It also gave the prime minister an opportunity to thank Saudi leadership for its role in helping de-escalate the recent Pakistan-India conflict.

Shehbaz was accompanied on that trip by Field Marshal Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar. The delegation also performed Umrah while in the kingdom.

How does Pakistan describe its relationship with Saudi Arabia?

Pakistan's Foreign Office has described the countries' ties as "deep-rooted" and "time-tested." It says the relationship is built on shared faith, mutual respect and a longstanding strategic partnership.