Tehran, Iran – The Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA) reported that Pakistani Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir is traveling to the Iranian capital, Tehran, today, Thursday. This comes as part of Islamabad’s intensive mediation efforts to bridge the gap in the ongoing talks and consultations between Tehran and Washington regarding the Iranian war and the escalating crisis in the Middle East.
The Iranian reformist newspaper Ham Mihan revealed details of the Pakistani army chief’s anticipated visit on Wednesday. It described the move as carrying “very special diplomatic importance” within the context of ongoing back-channel communications between Iran and the United States. The visit aimed to de-escalate tensions and prevent a slide into a full-blown confrontation.
The newspaper’s report indicated that Field Marshal Assem Munir is a pivotal figure in the regional mediation efforts related to the indirect negotiations between Tehran and Washington. Sources confirmed that the current visit could witness significant progress. Furthermore, there are indications that the final draft of a potential agreement between the two sides, which would end the complex military tensions, may be announced soon.
Trump’s warnings: Talks are “on the brink”
In contrast, Agence France-Presse quoted US President Donald Trump as making strongly worded statements, saying that talks with Tehran were at a critical juncture. The options were either reaching a final agreement to end the Middle East conflict or resuming violent military strikes against Iran.
Trump has consistently sent mixed and confusing signals since his earlier announcement that he was canceling renewed attacks to allow for a final chance at diplomatic negotiations. His rhetoric has oscillated between expressing cautious optimism about the possibility of reaching a deal and simultaneously issuing stark threats of devastating military action should political efforts fail.
When asked about the current status of talks with Iran, Trump told reporters at Joint Base Andrews near Washington: “It’s right at the border, believe me. If we don’t get the right answers from Tehran, things will go very, very wrong. We’re all in the administration and the military on full alert, and we have to get the right answers, and they have to be 100% complete and clear answers.”
Final deadline at the request of the Gulf Cooperation Council
The American leader added that reaching a comprehensive agreement with Iran would save “a great deal of time, energy, and lives.” He indicated that an announcement of such an agreement could happen “very quickly, or within a few days” if the Iranian side demonstrated genuine willingness.
The US president revealed earlier this week that he was just an hour away from issuing a direct operational order to resume airstrikes and missile attacks on vital targets in Iran. He confirmed that he postponed the attack, which had been scheduled for last Tuesday, at the urgent and direct request of the Gulf Arab states. This was done to give a final chance for a peaceful solution, an opportunity currently being spearheaded by Pakistan through its army chief’s visit to Tehran. The goal is to bring the final draft agreement to a safe conclusion.
