Pakistan cautiously optimistic on US-Iran mediation as Qatari delegation visits Tehran

Diplomatic efforts to revive negotiations between the United States and Iran are ongoing, as Pakistan’s military voiced “cautious optimism” about the chances of its mediation to de-escalate tensions. This comes as a Qatari delegation arrived in Tehran on Friday for talks with Iranian officials, amid growing regional efforts to prevent renewed confrontation between the two countries.

Pakistan military spokesperson Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry told Reuters that Army Chief Asim Munir’s two visits to Tehran this month indicate positive signs for the mediation. Responding to a question about the outcome of the visits, he said: “Why would (Munir) visit Tehran twice if there wasn’t some degree of positivity? So yes, definitely.”

Chaudhry, who is also the director general of the Inter-Services Public Relations, added that the military describes its mediation efforts as “cautiously optimistic.” However, he warned that “powerful parties are seeking to sabotage and obstruct” the process, believing that continued conflict serves their interests, without naming these parties.

During the interview from Rawalpindi, where the military’s headquarters are located, the Pakistani military spokesperson declined to disclose details of Munir’s discussions in Iran or clarify whether the United States supported the visit.

Separately, a Qatari delegation led by the senior adviser to the Qatari prime minister and foreign minister arrived in Tehran on Friday to meet top Iranian officials and discuss bilateral relations and regional developments, according to Iran’s official IRNA news agency. The visit is part of Qatar’s efforts to help resume talks between Washington and Tehran.

The Qatari moves coincided with Iranian media reports that Tehran had received a message from the US vice president addressed to Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the message outlined a possible framework for resuming negotiations, rather than specific terms for a peace agreement, and noted it was sent via Qatari intermediaries.

Qatar and Pakistan are playing a mediating role in efforts to bring Washington and Tehran back to the negotiating table after a ceasefire agreement was reached last April. However, attempts to reach a permanent deal to end the conflict have so far yielded no results.