Pakistan insists on mediation between US and Iran as Naqvi visits Tehran

Pakistan affirmed its commitment to continue mediating between Washington and Tehran with the aim of reaching a peaceful settlement, at a time when mutual threats between Washington and Tehran are escalating and diplomatic moves continue to try to prevent the region from sliding into a new round of confrontation.

The Pakistani Foreign Ministry said in a statement today, Monday, that Islamabad believes that disputed issues should be addressed through dialogue and diplomacy, affirming its commitment to the role of mediator and to working to reach a peaceful solution to the conflict between Iran and the United States, noting that "our mediation between America and Iran reflects our commitment to resolving disputes through dialogue." 

It also stressed that its good relations with the parties involved give it the ability to continue in this role.

This Pakistani stance coincided with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi's visit to the Iranian capital Tehran today, where he met his Iranian counterpart Eskandar Momeni, amid attention to the visit in light of rising regional tensions.

Pakistani government sources indicated that Naqvi's talks are expected to address regional developments and bilateral relations, along with efforts to revive the stalled talks between Tehran and Washington.

Conversely, Iranian sources said the Pakistani minister's visit focuses on bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries, stressing that he is not carrying a US message to Tehran, nor will he convey an Iranian message to Washington, according to the Tasnim agency.

Iranian warnings

Iran had renewed its warnings against the United States launching a new attack on its territory. The spokesman for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hussein Mohibi, earlier today warned that any new attack would drive Tehran to "change the geography of the war and the type of its weapons," in his words.

The joint command of the Iranian Armed Forces had also warned on Sunday against the resumption of US military operations, saying it had received information that the United States was preparing for a new round of combat operations. It added that any new American attack would be met with continuous strikes targeting American bases and interests, according to its statement.

A near decision

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said yesterday that "something big could happen very soon regarding Iran," noting that he is about to make a decision in the very near future.

Trump also hinted at three options before him, the first being "to wipe Iran off completely and destroy it, or let it rot economically, or reach a deal and agreement," in his words.

But despite that threat, he indicated that "he would be open to the idea of meeting the Iranian president, Masoud Bazshakian, in New York," on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meetings expected tomorrow, Tuesday.

A key mediator

It should be noted that in recent months Pakistan has emerged as one of the main mediators between Washington and Tehran amid escalating tensions between them.

In this context, the Pakistani interior minister has made a series of visits to Tehran since last May, the latest of which was in August, during which he met Iranian officials and discussed efforts to contain tensions and advance diplomatic solutions.

News reports indicated that Naqvi has visited Iran at least four times since the outbreak of the war on February 28.

The initial agreement signed between Washington and Tehran in June collapsed after disagreements over a number of issues, chief among them the Strait of Hormuz and its management. Meanwhile, US forces resumed strikes on some Iranian sites and oil tankers.

The United States also continued its naval blockade of Iranian ports, while imposing further suffocating sanctions.