Islamabad: Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has travelled to Tehran for talks with Iranian officials as tensions rise across the Middle East.
His visit comes after recent attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement on Saudi Arabia’s oil and economic infrastructure.
Talks on Iran, Yemen and the US
Naqvi left for Iran on Monday, according to reports. He is expected to discuss the regional crisis, Pakistan-Iran relations and efforts to restart stalled talks between Iran and the United States.
He is also expected to discuss the situation in Yemen. Islamabad has warned that the latest escalation could further complicate an already tense regional environment.
This marks Naqvi’s sixth visit to Tehran since the United States and Israel launched their war against Iran in February.
Naqvi has worked on Pakistan’s mediation efforts alongside Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir. He has maintained contact with both Tehran and Washington during the crisis.
Iran Plays Down Mediation Expectations
Iran, however, has lowered expectations of a new mediation effort.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Saturday that Naqvi’s visit would focus on bilateral relations. He added that there were no plans to exchange specific messages related to mediation.
Pakistan has maintained contacts with both Iran and the United States throughout the conflict. Islamabad also hosted high-level direct talks between Washington and Tehran after a ceasefire in April.
Islamabad MoU and Failed Talks
The diplomatic process gained momentum in June when Iran and the United States signed an Islamabad memorandum of understanding and began negotiations on a broader agreement.
The talks later stalled over disagreements on security guarantees and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
The waterway remains one of the world’s most important routes for energy supplies and international trade.
The diplomatic breakdown was followed by military strikes between the United States and Iran in July. The clashes raised fresh concerns about a wider regional conflict.
Yemen Adds to Regional Pressure
The crisis has also become increasingly linked to developments in Yemen and the Red Sea.
Recent Houthi attacks on Saudi interests have added another challenge for regional governments. They have also increased pressure on diplomatic efforts to contain the conflict.
US President Donald Trump said Sunday that he was considering three possible approaches toward Iran: continuing economic pressure, seeking to remove the Iranian government or reaching a deal.
Against this backdrop, Naqvi’s Tehran visit comes at a sensitive point for Pakistan’s diplomacy.
Islamabad is trying to keep communication open with both Tehran and Washington while addressing the wider regional fallout involving Iran, the United States, Saudi Arabia and the Houthis.
