Pakistan army chief in Tehran to revive US-Iran talks — SkimNews
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- Asim Munir arrived in Tehran for talks with Iranian officials, marking his fifth visit since the April ceasefire between Washington and Tehran, as Pakistan pushes to restart negotiations.
- Qatar has become a key channel for US-Iran diplomacy, providing the negotiating framework, while Pakistan offers political access through figures like Munir, according to security analyst Andreas Krieg.
- The US deployed an additional aircraft carrier to the Middle East after Trump rejected an Iranian peace proposal on September 26, with the carrier expected by late November.
- Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement in August and agreed on October 5 to accelerate force deployments, though Pakistan denies its troops will strike Houthis in Yemen.
- Trump stated on October 8 that the US would not attack Iran before the November 3 midterm elections, but ten days later endorsed Netanyahu, suggesting unilateral US action if Israel’s leadership changes.
- The Islamabad MoU, a 14-point agreement brokered by Pakistan in June, expired in mid-August without renewal; Iran blames the US for failing to lift its naval blockade and release $24bn in assets.
- Iran has kept the Strait of Hormuz closed, insisting the US lift its blockade first, while analysts disagree on whether the expired MoU can still serve as a negotiation basis.
Why it matters: Pakistan’s dual role as US-Iran mediator and Saudi security ally creates growing tension—its credibility in de-escalation talks is weakened just as Trump’s mixed signals and military buildup raise the stakes ahead of US and Israeli elections, with no alternative framework to replace the defunct MoU.
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