US President Donald Trump reportedly spoke with Pakistan’s army chief and Iranian negotiators during mediation talks in Tehran this week.
ISTANBUL: US President Donald Trump reportedly held phone conversations with Pakistani army chief Gen. Asim Munir and Iranian negotiators this week during the general’s mediation trip to Tehran.
The calls occurred as Gen. Munir undertook a three-day visit to the Iranian capital beginning Wednesday, according to a report by the Axios outlet citing unnamed US officials.
“Pakistani army chief Asim Munir held mediation talks between the US and Iran in Tehran this week, and US officials said Trump spoke by phone at least once with Munir and the Iranians,” the report stated.
During his trip, the Pakistani army chief met with several Iranian civil and military leaders, including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and Maj. Gen. Ali Abdollahi.
News of the diplomatic calls emerged as President Trump convened a White House Situation Room meeting to discuss the renewed closure of the Strait of Hormuz, with a fragile two-week ceasefire set to expire.
Iran had reopened the key waterway during Gen. Munir’s visit but closed it again after Trump affirmed the continuation of the US blockade on Iranian ports.
Pakistan recently hosted the highest-level engagement between the US and Iran since 1979 on April 11 and 12, though those talks concluded without a final agreement.
A second round of negotiations is now anticipated, likely involving technical-level teams from both nations.
Pakistani government sources indicated that these technical teams are expected to meet in Islamabad, most probably on Monday, to work towards finalising an agreement.
