U.S. President Donald Trump asked Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir, to leverage Islamabad’s diplomatic and military influence to bring Iran back to the negotiating table, according to a report published Monday by Reuters.
1+According to the report, three Pakistani sources said Trump spoke with Munir last week ahead of his trip to Tehran. The call was initiated by the American president, and his central request was that Pakistan work to restart negotiations between the United States and Iran. Munir arrived in Tehran today along with Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. Pakistan’s military confirmed the visit and said it was part of the country’s efforts to promote peace and stability in the region. During his visit, Munir is expected to meet with officials close to Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.
1+A Pakistani government source said the tensions between Washington and Tehran will be at the center of the talks. Munir is also expected to discuss recent Houthi attacks—backed by Iran—against Saudi Arabia, as well as the mutual defense agreement recently signed between Pakistan, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia. “There is a lack of trust between the two sides,” a Pakistani source told Reuters. According to the source, Munir will try during his visit to reduce the mistrust between the United States and Iran and help restart negotiations.