Iran’s Pezeshkian Meets Pakistan’s Naqvi as Tensions with US Intensify

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has held talks with Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi in Tehran as diplomatic efforts continue to ease tensions between Iran and the United States amid growing fears of renewed military confrontation in the region.

Naqvi travelled to Tehran on Monday for his sixth visit to Iran since the United States and Israel launched their war against Iran in February.

His latest visit comes at a particularly sensitive time, following Tehran’s claim that it had received intelligence suggesting that the United States was preparing possible new attacks against Iran.

During his meeting with Naqvi, Pezeshkian expressed hope that relations between Iran and Pakistan would continue to deepen.

The Iranian president
said increasing pressure from the United States had encouraged greater cooperation and consultations among Islamic countries.

“We believe that US actions and pressures have contributed to greater convergence and continued engagement among Islamic countries,” Pezeshkian said, pointing to the frequent meetings and consultations between Iranian and Pakistani officials as an example of the trend.

Naqvi also described the relationship between the two countries as strong, saying Islamabad considered its ties with Tehran to be at an exceptionally high level.

“We believe that relations between Iran and Pakistan have never been at such a high level as they are today,” he said.

Qatar, Pakistan Seek to Revive US-Iran Dialogue
Naqvi’s visit to Tehran is taking place alongside separate diplomatic efforts by Pakistan and Qatar to reopen a channel of communication between Tehran and Washington.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi travelled to New York on Monday to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

He stopped in Doha, Qatar, on his way to the United States and held discussions with Qatari officials on the latest developments in the Middle East.

Qatar has previously played a role in facilitating diplomatic contacts between Iran and the United States.

Majed al-Ansari, spokesman for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said on Tuesday that Doha was working with Pakistan to help create an avenue for renewed negotiations between Tehran and Washington.

“Doha is working to mediate and open a path for dialogue between Iran and the US,” al-Ansari said, adding that Qatar was seeking to facilitate the possibility of an agreement, including a short-term arrangement.

The diplomatic efforts come as tensions remain high over Iran’s nuclear programme, military activities and the wider conflict involving the United States and Israel.

Pezeshkian is also expected to travel to New York for the UN General Assembly, where he is scheduled to address the gathering and hold meetings with a number of foreign leaders and senior officials.

The United States has granted visas to the Iranian president and Foreign Minister Araghchi.

However, Washington has imposed travel and purchasing restrictions on other members of Iran’s delegation.

Trump Says Several Options Are Being Considered
US President Donald Trump said in an interview with Fox News on Sunday that Washington was considering several possible approaches towards Iran.

Trump mentioned the possibility of reaching a deal with Tehran, imposing further economic pressure or taking more severe action.

He also indicated that he would probably be open to meeting with Pezeshkian.

Iranian security official Mohsen Rezaei, meanwhile, told Al Jazeera that Tehran had presented the Trump administration with a new set of conditions for resuming negotiations.

Rezaei said the conditions were presented after a 60-day memorandum of understanding reached on June 17 failed to end the conflict or result in the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

He said Iran was awaiting a response from Washington to its latest proposals.

Strait of Hormuz Remains a Major Concern
The diplomatic developments are unfolding against the backdrop of continued tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important maritime routes for international trade and energy shipments.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency reported attacks involving two tankers in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday.

Iran has targeted vessels attempting to pass through the strategic waterway without its authorisation or through shipping lanes it considers unauthorised.

The incidents have increased concerns over the safety of commercial shipping through the strait and the potential impact of further disruptions on regional and international trade.

While Pakistan and Qatar continue their diplomatic efforts, the latest developments demonstrate the difficulty of restoring negotiations amid ongoing military tensions.

The meetings in Tehran, Doha and New York are therefore being closely watched as regional governments seek to prevent further escalation and create conditions for renewed dialogue between Iran and the United States.

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