Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir to Visit Tehran Monday

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Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei announced on Sunday that Pakistan's army chief Asim Munir will visit Tehran on Monday. The visit aims to continue efforts to bring peace and security to the region. Pakistan has assumed a mediator role in negotiations between Iran and the U.S., seeking to end a war that began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran in February. Two Pakistani government sources confirmed Munir's visit, with one stating that Iran and Pakistan are in direct contact. A second source indicated that the talks would address recent developments, including U.S. President Donald Trump's threat of tougher sanctions on Iran. Munir is expected to discuss peace under Islamabad's memorandum of understanding, Trump's warning, the situation following the Pakistan-Turkey-Saudi Arab Agreement, and Houthi issues with Iranian leaders. The visit coincides with a Monday announcement detailing planned U.S. sanctions, which U.S. officials have described as the toughest sanctions in history on Iran. President Trump had previously warned of economic consequences for any country providing any type of lifeline to Iran in his efforts to isolate the Islamic Republic. Oil shipments are currently at a virtual standstill in the Strait of Hormuz, and Tehran has threatened to strike any unauthorized oil tankers attempting to transit the waterway. Iran's economy is already under immense pressure from existing sanctions. Munir recently held a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to discuss the regional situation and ways to revive long-stalled direct talks with the U.S. The Iranian government stated on X that their conversation covered regional developments and effective ways to strengthen peace, stability and security in West Asia. Pakistan and Qatar are engaged in a renewed push to revive these talks, following the expiration of a 60-day deadline to reach a final agreement to end the war. The U.S. and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding on June 17 and initiated negotiations, but these talks later stalled over disagreements concerning security guarantees and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Between July 8 and July 24, the U.S. and Iran exchanged military strikes.

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