Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi conducted separate meetings with Iran’s highest civil and military authorities in Tehran on Wednesday, amid a stalemate between Tehran and Washington over a proposed resolution to the ongoing conflict. This marked Naqvi’s second visit within a week, during which he met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander-in-Chief General Ahmad Vahidi, and Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni.
These high-level discussions occurred as reports indicated that efforts were intensifying to finalize a draft agreement between the United States and Iran. Media outlets suggested that a fresh round of negotiations might take place in Islamabad following the conclusion of the Hajj pilgrimage. Furthermore, the finalized agreement could be announced imminently, with a prominent Pakistani official expected to travel to Tehran on Thursday to continue diplomatic engagements.
President Pezeshkian and Naqvi exchanged views on the current status of the indirect Iran-US negotiations and ongoing diplomatic initiatives to build on prior understandings. The Iranian president emphasized the importance of sustained dialogue, enhanced regional cooperation, and closer coordination among Islamic nations to promote stability.
These diplomatic efforts come roughly six weeks after US President Donald Trump paused Operation Epic Fury to allow for a ceasefire. Despite international mediation, progress toward ending the conflict has been limited. Speaking to the press, Trump stated that negotiations with Iran were in their “final stages,” while cautioning Tehran about potential further military actions if no agreement is reached. He revealed that he had recently considered ordering additional strikes but opted to delay to provide more time for talks.
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan welcomed Trump’s decision to prioritize diplomacy, expressing Riyadh’s appreciation for efforts aimed at securing a viable peace agreement. The Saudi minister also voiced support for Pakistan’s mediation role and urged Iran to seize the opportunity to prevent escalation and its dangerous consequences.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed that talks between Tehran and Washington are ongoing through Pakistani intermediaries. He reiterated that Iran’s position is grounded in rights rather than demands, with the lifting of US sanctions remaining a fundamental and legitimate requirement.
Naqvi’s current visit follows a prior two-day trip to Tehran, during which he held a 90-minute meeting with President Pezeshkian focused on bilateral relations and Pakistan’s facilitation of dialogue between Tehran and Washington. During that meeting, the Iranian president expressed gratitude to Pakistan, Iraq, and Afghanistan for refraining from allowing their territories to be used for military actions against Iran during the conflict.
Naqvi’s renewed engagement with Iranian officials comes amid Iranian media reports claiming that Washington’s latest proposals lacked meaningful concessions. Fars news agency, the US offered a five-point plan that included restricting Iran to a single operational nuclear site and transferring its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to the US. Mehr news agency suggested Tehran viewed this as an attempt by Washington to extract concessions through negotiations that it failed to secure during the conflict, potentially leading to a deadlock.
In a separate meeting with Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Naqvi commended Iran’s diplomatic efforts during the Islamabad talks. He acknowledged Pakistan’s recognition of Tehran’s attempts to safeguard its national interests through negotiations and highlighted the growing closeness between the peoples of both countries. Naqvi reaffirmed Islamabad’s goodwill toward Iran’s leadership and citizens amid ongoing regional tensions.
The Middle East conflict escalated after coordinated US and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28. Iran retaliated by targeting Israeli and US military bases across the region and effectively blocking the Strait of Hormuz. Pakistan hosted peace talks between the two sides in Islamabad on April 11 and 12; however, the negotiations concluded without a permanent agreement due to persistent disagreements over Iran’s nuclear program, missile capabilities, and control of the Strait of Hormuz.
