Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi have concluded a three-day official visit to Iran, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Saturday.

The discussions focused on “bringing sustainable peace to the region, with particular emphasis on the evolving regional security environment, ongoing diplomatic engagements, and collaborative measures aimed at promoting enduring peace and stability in the region”, the ISPR said in a statement.

Munir underscored the need for dialogue, de-escalation, and peaceful resolution of outstanding issues through sustained diplomatic engagements, it added.

During the visit, the field marshal called on Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and held separate meetings with Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and the commander of Khatamul Anbiya Headquarters, Major General Ali Abdollahi.

According to the ISPR statement, the CDF expressed deep appreciation for the “warm hospitality” extended by Iran during the delegation’s visit, and conveyed sincere regards and best wishes from the president, prime minister, and people of Pakistan to the Iranian leadership. He further reaffirmed Pakistan’s desire to further strengthen the historic and brotherly ties between the two countries.

“The visit reflects Pakistan’s unwavering resolve to facilitate a negotiated settlement to the Middle East conflict and to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the region,” the statement said.

Pakistan’s mediation efforts

On Wednesday, the ISPR said that CDF Munir had arrived in Tehran alongside Naqvi and a formal delegation. It described the visit as part of “ongoing mediation efforts” for de-escalation between Iran and the US.

Pakistan hosted direct Iran-US talks in Islamabad earlier this month, marking the highest engagement between the two sides since 1979. The talks ended without an agreement despite nearly 21 hours of talks. While no breakthrough was achieved, both sides indicated that the diplomatic channel remained open.

The air force also escorted Iranian negotiators home from the inconclusive first round of Islamabad Talks to ensure the safety of the delegation.

The ceasefire between the US and Iran, brokered on April 8 after weeks of conflict, is set to expire on April 22. While technically intact, it is increasingly precarious.

On Monday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told a meeting of the federal cabinet that “full efforts” were ongoing to resolve the conflict.

Noting that the truce was still holding, he said, “As I am talking to you, matters that are not resolved, full efforts are underway to resolve them.”

According to a communication received from Tehran through the interior ministry’s media wing, Iranian Interior Minister Eskender Momini on Friday lauded Pakistan’s efforts in achieving a ceasefire and its role in reconciliation in a conversation with Naqvi.