Pakistan, Iran vow to tackle regional threats

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his Iranian counterpart Eskandar Momeni on Saturday reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral engagement and addressing shared regional challenges, as Pakistan continued efforts to mediate between Tehran and Washington amid ongoing tensions in the region.

Naqvi arrived in Tehran on a two-day visit and was received by Momeni, marking the start of discussions aimed at facilitating dialogue and reviewing evolving regional developments.

The visit comes at a critical time as Pakistan remains engaged in diplomatic efforts to help revive direct talks between Iran and the United States following months of conflict and failed negotiations.

Iran's WANA news agency reported that the two ministers held detailed discussions on regional stability and bilateral cooperation.

"Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening interactions to address shared regional challenges," the report said.

During the meeting, Momeni reportedly praised the efforts of the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, describing his role in pursuing a resolution to ongoing regional tensions as "sincere and committed".

He also appreciated Pakistan's efforts to promote regional peace and stability.

Both sides further reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the longstanding and brotherly ties between Iran and Pakistan, while emphasising the importance of continued cooperation to advance peace, security and prosperity across the region.

Several senior Iranian officials and representatives of the Pakistani Embassy in Tehran also attended the talks.

Earlier, a spokesperson for the Interior Ministry told Anadolu that the visit had already been scheduled.

The visit marks Naqvi's second successive trip to Iran in as many months. Last month, he had also visited the country alongside Field Marshal Asim Munir.

During that visit, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who received the Pakistani delegation, expressed gratitude for Pakistan's role in facilitating dialogue efforts with the United States, saying it reflected the "deep and great bilateral relationship" between the two countries.

"Our commitment to promoting peace and stability in the region remains strong - and shared," he had said.

The latest diplomatic engagement comes as Pakistan continues mediating between Washington and Tehran in an attempt to secure a lasting end to the conflict that began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, followed by Iranian retaliation against Israel and other regional countries hosting US assets.

Pakistan had earlier brokered a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran on April 8, followed by critical talks in Islamabad attended by senior delegations from both countries on April 11 and 12.

However, the talks failed to produce a breakthrough, and neither side was able to reach an agreement to end the conflict.

Since then, both sides have continued exchanging proposals and counter-proposals in an effort to find common ground and resume a second round of direct negotiations aimed at ending the crisis, which has already disrupted global energy supplies and affected daily life across the region.

While Pakistan remains hopeful that direct talks can resume, sources said there has been no "significant" shift in Iran's earlier position on the nuclear issue in its latest response to US proposals.

According to the sources, Tehran's response, delivered to the United States through Islamabad last week, focused primarily on an "immediate" end to hostilities, with "little [in it] in terms of Washington's core demand about Iran's nuclear programme".

Iran, the sources added, has proposed "broader and separate" talks on the nuclear issue due to its "complexity".

However, Tehran has "reiterated" its willingness to halt uranium enrichment for a period of five years, while rejecting Washington's demand for a 20-year moratorium, according to the sources.