ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has rejected reports that Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir visited Iran as an envoy for U.S. President Donald Trump, saying his Aug. 24 trip to Tehran was part of Islamabad’s ongoing efforts to mediate between Washington and Tehran and ease the wider Middle East crisis.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi called the reports “misleading and factually incorrect” during his weekly news briefing, stressing that Munir’s visit was undertaken “purely in the context and backdrop of Pakistan’s ongoing role as a mediator.”
He said the discussions focused on regional de-escalation, ending the military stalemate and finding a negotiated settlement to restore peace and stability.
Munir, who is Pakistan’s chief of army staff and chief of defence forces, met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and other senior officials during the visit.
The talks included efforts to reduce tensions, pursue a peaceful resolution to the conflict and reopen the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations, Munir also met Mohsen Rezaei, the Iranian supreme leader’s representative on the Supreme National Security Council, Parliament Speaker Bagher Ghalibaf; Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi; and Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni.
The two sides exchanged views on regional peace and possible avenues for a negotiated settlement. Andrabi said the visit demonstrated Pakistan’s “sincere and constructive role” in bridging differences between Washington and Tehran, adding that the Iranian leadership appreciated Islamabad’s efforts toward de-escalation and regional peace.
Pakistan has continued diplomatic engagement with both sides as tensions between the United States and Iran have threatened regional stability and maritime trade. Islamabad has also remained in contact with regional countries as part of broader efforts to address the crisis.
The Foreign Office said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has held discussions with counterparts in several countries on developments in the Middle East and the Gulf. The contacts have focused on regional security, de-escalation and diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation.
The latest clarification follows reports that Munir had traveled to Tehran at Trump’s request. Reuters reported that Trump had spoken with Munir before his Tehran trip and urged Pakistan to use its influence to encourage Iran to return to negotiations. Pakistan, however, has rejected the characterization of the visit as a U.S. or Trump envoy mission.
Andrabi said Pakistan would continue working with friendly countries to support efforts aimed at resolving the U.S.-Iran standoff and addressing the broader crisis in the Middle East and Gulf.
Separately, the spokesperson said Pakistan remains ready for state-level dialogue with Afghanistan to address bilateral issues but stressed that Kabul must take concrete and verifiable steps to prevent its territory from being used for attacks against Pakistan.
He said any dialogue would depend on effective counterterrorism measures, improved border management and Afghanistan’s fulfillment of its international commitments, including those under the Doha framework.
Pakistan has also been preparing to assume the rotating chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization for a one-year term following the SCO summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Islamabad is scheduled to host the SCO summit in 2027.
