Claims that CDF Munir visited Iran as Trump envoy ‘incorrect, misleading’: FO

The Foreign Office on Thursday rejected claims circulating in certain quarters that Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir visited Iran as an envoy of US President Donald Trump or the United States, describing them as “misleading and factually incorrect”.

Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said the chief of army staff and chief of defence forces’ visit to Tehran on August 24 was undertaken purely in the context of Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to mediate and facilitate a peaceful resolution of the US-Iran conflict.

Addressing a weekly media briefing, Andrabi said Field Marshal Munir’s discussions with the Iranian leadership focused on regional de-escalation, breaking the military stalemate and exploring a negotiated settlement to restore peace and stability.

He said the visit was also part of renewed efforts to facilitate the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and underscored Pakistan’s “sincere and constructive” role in bridging differences between Washington and Tehran.

According to the spokesperson, the Iranian leadership appreciated Pakistan’s efforts towards de-escalation and a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

Andrabi said Pakistan had remained actively engaged with brotherly countries in sincere and concerted efforts to help resolve the crisis in the Middle East and the Gulf, particularly amid tensions between the United States and Iran.

Meanwhile, he said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had also remained in close contact with his counterparts in the region as part of Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach.

Dar held three telephone conversations with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on August 17, 19 and 25, focusing on regional developments and the importance of dialogue and diplomacy for regional peace, Andrabi said.

“The deputy prime minister also spoke with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty on August 14 and Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah on August 24, discussing bilateral ties and regional developments, with an emphasis on dialogue, diplomacy and the implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding,” he stated.

Andrabi said Pakistan would continue to actively pursue diplomatic engagement and support all sincere efforts aimed at reviving peace talks and achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting resolution of regional conflicts.

The spokesperson also announced that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would visit Bishkek to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s Council of Heads of State Summit, scheduled to be held from August 31 to September 1.

Pakistan is set to assume the chairmanship of the SCO for a one-year term following the summit, Andrabi said, adding that the hallmark of Pakistan’s chairmanship would be the SCO summit to be hosted in Islamabad in 2027.

The prime minister is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with the Kyrgyz leadership during his visit, while further details of the visit will be shared in the coming days.

The Foreign Office spokesperson said DPM Dar was currently in London on an official visit focused on Pakistan-UK relations, regional and international developments, maritime security, Commonwealth engagement and outreach to British parliamentarians and the Pakistani community.

During his visit, Dar met International Maritime Organisation Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez and sought urgent institutional intervention for the safe release of 10 Pakistani seafarers aboard the MV Honor, who are being held captive by Somali pirates.

The two sides also discussed Pakistan-IMO cooperation in maritime security, regulatory reforms and the blue economy.

Dar also met a cross-party group of British parliamentarians of Pakistani origin, with discussions covering Pakistan-UK relations, the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts for peace in the Middle East, the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement and recent developments in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

In a separate meeting with Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to Commonwealth principles and discussed cooperation in youth development, climate resilience, economic development and intra-Commonwealth trade.

He also briefed the Commonwealth secretary-general on Pakistan’s efforts to facilitate peace between the United States and Iran, the spokesperson said.

Prior to his departure for London, Dar also held telephone conversations with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira and Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov.

The discussions covered matters of mutual interest, regional and international peace and security, multilateral cooperation, bilateral ties and preparations for the upcoming SCO summit.

Andrabi also referred to the visit of Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani to Pakistan from August 19 to 20, describing it as the first visit by a Syrian foreign minister since the formation of the new Syrian government.

Pakistan and Syria reviewed bilateral relations and agreed to strengthen institutional engagement and cooperation. Pakistan also reaffirmed its support for Syria’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, as well as peace and stability in the Middle East.

The spokesperson further said Pakistan had joined other Arab and Islamic countries in issuing several statements on regional developments during the past two weeks.

He referred to a joint statement issued by eight Islamic countries on August 16, which condemned Israel’s rejection of a roadmap for implementing a US comprehensive plan for Gaza and its rejection of Palestinian statehood.

The countries called for the immediate implementation of the plan, an end to the war and progress towards a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders.

On August 22, Pakistan was also among 11 Islamic countries that issued a joint statement condemning Israeli strikes on military sites in northwestern Syria, describing them as a violation of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.