Field Marshal Asim Munir of Pakistan arrived in Tehran on Wednesday evening to deliver a new U.S. proposal intended to revive US-Iran mediation and end the ongoing war between the two nations.
- Pakistan’s army chief is acting as the primary intermediary between Washington and Tehran.
- A new framework has been proposed for a fresh round of talks to be held in Islamabad next week.
- Negotiations are being coordinated from Rawalpindi, the seat of the army, rather than the civilian government.
Munir met with Iran’s foreign minister and chief negotiator, Abbas Araghchi, in a last-ditch attempt to broker peace. The visit follows a failed attempt by U.S. Vice President JD Vance to reach a deal during 21 hours of talks in Islamabad four days prior.
While U.S. President Donald Trump recently imposed a naval blockade on the strait of Hormuz, he has praised Munir’s “fantastic” efforts to maintain negotiations between the two sides.
The Role of Pakistan’s Military in Diplomacy
Pakistan has emerged as an unlikely diplomatic broker, with Munir seen as the driving force. He is one of the few figures capable of maintaining direct communication with both U.S. and Iranian leadership.
Maleeha Lodhi, a former Pakistani ambassador to the UN, US, and UK, stated that the foreign ministry is acting as a “junior partner” in these efforts. She noted that both Iran and the U.S. have significant confidence in Munir.
Munir’s involvement was central to a last-minute ceasefire agreement reached last week following threats from President Trump. During the subsequent meeting of U.S. and Iranian delegations in Islamabad, Munir served as the third party in the room.
Building International Clout
Since his appointment in 2022, Munir has shifted his focus from domestic power consolidation to becoming a global ambassador. By the end of 2025, he had visited the White House twice and signed a defense pact with Saudi Arabia.
His relationship with the Trump administration was strengthened through strategic wins, including the extradition of several high-profile terrorists to the U.S. and the presentation of investment opportunities in minerals, oil, and cryptocurrency.
President Trump has praised Munir as an “exceptional man” and his “favourite field marshal.” Additionally, Pakistan nominated Trump for the Nobel peace prize after U.S. intervention in hostilities between India and Pakistan in May 2025.
Relations with Tehran and Regional Stakes
Munir’s credibility with Iran’s Revolutionary Guards was rebuilt through Pakistan’s unequivocal condemnation of Israel’s actions in Gaza and the bombing of Iran during the 10-day war.
Avinash Paliwal, a reader in international relations at Soas University of London, suggested that the centralized system under Munir provides Pakistan the flexibility and credibility to mediate. However, political analyst Muhammad Mehdi noted that the diplomatic campaign has also been a collective effort involving government ministers in China, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.
The success of these talks is viewed as critical to avoiding further economic and security devastation in Pakistan. Experts suggest that if a deal is reached, Pakistan could become a major operational player in the security architecture of the Gulf and the Middle East.
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