Month: August 2026

Item 1 of 2 Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf meets with chief of Defence Forces of Pakistan, Field Marshal Asim Munir, in Tehran, Iran, August 24, 2026. Iranian Parliament Speaker Office/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. ISRAEL OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN ISRAEL. NO ACCESS FOR ISRAELI MEDIA. NO USE BBC PERSIAN. NO USE VOA PERSIAN. NO USE MANOTO. NO USE IRAN INTERNATIONAL. NO USE RADIO FARDA. DIGITAL: NO USE BBC PERSIAN. NO USE VOA PERSIAN. NO USE MANOTO. NO USE IRAN INTERNATIONAL. NO USE RADIO FARDA.

[1/2]Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf meets with chief of Defence Forces of Pakistan, Field Marshal Asim Munir, in Tehran, Iran, August 24, 2026. Iranian Parliament Speaker Office/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A… Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab Read more

ISLAMABAD, Aug 25 (Reuters) – Pakistan and Iran made “significant progress” in talks that focused on ​the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran and a path ‌to peace, Pakistan’s interior minister said on Tuesday, at the end of a visit to Tehran.

Talks between the two sides focused ​on measures to prevent further escalation, reopening of ​the Strait of Hormuz and an expedited termination ⁠of the conflict, a statement from the Pakistani military ​said about the meeting between the country’s army chief, ​Asim Munir, and the Iranian leadership.

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The two sides also exchanged views on regional peace and the way to arrive at a negotiated ​settlement to the dispute, the statement said.

“The Iranian President ​candidly shared his government’s perspective and we had a very constructive ‌exchange ⁠on the issues involved,” Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who accompanied Munir to Tehran, said in a post on X.

The White House and the State Department did not immediately ​respond to ​requests for comment ⁠made outside business hours.

Trump last week warned ​of economic ⁠consequences against any country that provided “any type of lifeline to Iran” as he seeks to isolate the country. Iran ⁠in turn ​vowed to shut down all ​oil exports from the Gulf.

Reporting by Rick Noack and Kanishka Singh, Writing ​by Hritam Mukherjee and Shilpa Jamkhandikar; Editing by Thomas Derpinghaus

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The talks were held during a daylong diplomatic mission to Tehran by Pakistan’s army chief and interior minister.

There has been significant progress during high-level talks in Tehran aimed at ending the US-Israel war on Iran, according to Pakistani officials.

The talks took place on Monday during a daylong diplomatic mission to Tehran by Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.

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The Pakistani military released a statement on Tuesday, describing the trip as “part of Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to end the stalemate in the ongoing US-Iran conflict and explore ways for achieving enduring peace and [a] permanent end to instability in the region”.

While in Tehran, Munir held meetings with several Iranian leaders, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei, the military said.

“Comprehensive discussions focused on measures to prevent further escalation, reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and expedited termination of the conflict,” it added.

Following the meetings, Naqvi stated on social media platform X that both sides reviewed the steps needed to restore the “Islamabad MoU“, an interim framework aimed at ending the war that was mediated by Pakistan. He added that President Pezeshkian shared Iran’s concerns openly and that constructive talks were held on all the issues.

“Significant progress was made, and the meeting concluded on a highly positive note. We remain hopeful that this momentum will help pave the way for further progress and lasting peace in the region,” Naqvi said.

Iranian media outlet Tasnim said Pezeshkian told Munir that the US must change its approach towards Tehran.

“The United States must correct its tone and approach in dealing with Iran instead of dictating terms and resorting to coercion,” he was quoted as saying. He warned that US “intimidation” would complicate the process of implementing the MoU, Tasnim reported.

The MoU was signed by Washington and Tehran on June 17, but it soon faltered after renewed ship seizures and strikes in the Gulf, and then expired last week.

The diplomatic push comes at a crucial time. The Trump administration recently warned of severe economic penalties for any country supporting Iran, while Tehran has threatened to shut down Gulf oil exports completely in response.