Pakistan army chief to visit Tehran for talks with Iran - Reuters

According to Reuters, Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir will visit Tehran on Monday, August 24. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei said the visit is aimed at continuing efforts to ensure peace and security in the region.

Two Pakistani government sources confirmed Munir's visit to Tehran to the agency. According to one of them, there is direct contact between Iran and Pakistan. The second source said that the talks will also discuss the latest developments in the conflict in the region, including US President Donald Trump's threat to impose tougher sanctions on Iran.

The source said that Munir will discuss with the Iranian leadership peace issues within the framework of the memorandum of understanding of Islamabad, Trump's warning, the situation after the Pakistan-Turkey-Saudi Arabia agreement and issues related to the Houthis.

Munir's visit comes at a time of heightened tensions between Iran and the United States. Tehran has warned of the possibility of military action in response to the sanctions planned by the United States.

US officials are expected to announce details of the new sanctions planned against Iran on Monday. Washington has called these measures "the toughest sanctions in history." Donald Trump has warned that countries that provide "any assistance" to Tehran will face economic consequences at a time when the Iranian economy is currently under pressure from sanctions. The situation regarding oil transportation in the Strait of Hormuz has also become tense. Tehran has threatened to attack any oil tanker that tries to pass through the strategic waterway without permission. As a result, oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have almost come to a standstill.

Pakistan has recently taken on the role of mediator in talks between Iran and the United States. Munir's visit to Tehran is also seen as a continuation of these diplomatic efforts.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said that the war with the United States should be ended now, while the country is in a strong position. Pezeshkian, referring to the US strikes on schools, hospitals and infrastructure in Iran, said that these actions have damaged Washington's reputation in the international arena. At the same time, he said that the desire to end the war does not mean that Iran will retreat in the face of military pressure, and that Tehran is ready to respond to new attacks.