The latest Pakistan US-Iran war news centres on remarks by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who said on Monday, October 19, that Islamabad kept pressing to bring Washington and Tehran to the negotiating table, even when tensions ran high. Speaking at the 8th Global Security Forum in Doha, Qatar, he said Pakistan had made every possible effort to reduce tensions and “never gave up” on its mediation.
What Naqvi told the Doha forum
Naqvi said the conflict between Iran and the United States had created serious risks for the Middle East and the wider world, and that the past few months had been very hard for the region. He said Pakistan chose diplomacy over confrontation. He also argued that peace between the two countries needs patience, trust and sustained effort, and that lasting peace cannot be reached in a single meeting.
He credited Chief of Defence Forces and Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir with a “remarkable role” in bringing the two sides closer. Naqvi has taken part in Islamabad's mediation himself and has travelled to Iran several times since the war began. He noted that Munir, accompanied by Naqvi, visited Iran in August as part of efforts to promote regional peace, and that he made a further visit to Iran in September, which Tehran described as part of bilateral engagements.
The forum was held under the theme “The Future of Alliances” and brought together senior officials and dignitaries from more than 100 countries.
Pakistan's mediation role
Naqvi pointed to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which Washington and Tehran signed on June 18. Pakistan signed the 14-point agreement as a mediator. It sets out a framework for ending the war that began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.
Naqvi said the MoU was followed by the Lake Lucerne Summit in Switzerland, which Pakistan and Qatar organised as joint mediators. He said Qatar's Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Munir worked for more than 16 hours without a break during those negotiations. Describing the two men, he said: “No cameras, no announcements; only two men who refused to let the talks fail.” He added that the mediators shared one aim, which was to stop further conflict.
Where US-Iran talks stand
Efforts to restart US-Iran dialogue remain stalled, and both sides still disagree over the terms for resuming negotiations. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday that Tehran's proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days remained on the table, but that progress depended on Washington's response to Iran's conditions. Iran wants the US blockade on its ports lifted, sanctions on its oil exports eased and hostilities ended across regional fronts. Washington wants Iran's nuclear programme addressed as a priority.
Naqvi's remarks also came amid other tensions in the region. Yemen's internationally recognised government is fighting Houthi rebels, who are also targeting Saudi Arabia. The kingdom reported intercepting four drones on Saturday and more on Sunday.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- February 28: US-Israeli strikes on Iran begin the war.
- June 18: Washington and Tehran sign the 14-point Islamabad MoU, with Pakistan as mediator.
- August: Munir, accompanied by Naqvi, visits Iran as part of regional peace efforts.
- September: Naqvi makes a further visit to Iran.
- October 19: Naqvi tells the Global Security Forum in Doha that Pakistan never gave up.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi ne Doha forum mein kaha ke Pakistan US aur Iran ke darmiyan baat cheet ki koshish karta raha aur kabhi haar nahi maani. Pakistan ne mediator ke taur par June 18 ka Islamabad MoU sign kiya tha. Abhi US-Iran baat cheet dobara shuru karne ki sharton par dono mulkon mein ikhtilaaf hai. Aam shehri ke liye filhal iska matlab hai ke yeh diplomacy ki khabar hai, aur bijli, petrol ya safar par iska seedha asar abhi nahi bataya gaya.
