Pakistan has stepped up its diplomatic engagement to support ongoing U.S.–Iran negotiations aimed at establishing a framework to end the broader Middle East conflict, as senior leaders led high-level visits to Iran and Saudi Arabia.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Saudi Arabia, while Army Chief General Asim Munir traveled to Tehran, signaling a coordinated diplomatic push to engage key regional stakeholders ahead of a potential second round of negotiations.
The Pakistani delegation also includes Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and other senior security officials, according to the military.
U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that fresh talks between Washington and Tehran could take place within days.
US, Iran Agree in Principle to Next Round of Talks as Tensions Rise Over Hormuz
Both sides are currently working against an April 22 ceasefire deadline to make tangible progress toward de-escalation.
Tensions remain high, however, amid a U.S.-imposed blockade on Iranian ports and renewed retaliatory threats from Tehran.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that the United States and Iran had reached an “in principle agreement” to extend the ceasefire, allowing more time for diplomacy to advance.
In contrast, Iran’s joint military command official, Ali Abdollahi, warned that Tehran could disrupt regional trade routes if the United States does not lift its naval blockade.
Meanwhile, the Associated Press, citing a senior U.S. official, reported that no formal agreement has yet been reached to extend the ceasefire.
Asim Tanveer is a seasoned journalist working for TV and electronic and print media outlets. He has been working for some of the world’s leading news organizations including Associated Press (AP), Reuters, BBC, CNN, CNBC, Star TV, Voice of America and The New York Times for more than 30 years. He has won several awards for his live coverage of events that include a Reuters News Agency World Award and the Pride of Performance award in 1997.
