Iran and Pakistan Strengthen Diplomatic Ties Amid Heightened Tensions With the United States

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met with Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi in Tehran, as both Pakistan and Qatar work to revive diplomacy amid fears of escalating regional tensions. Naqvi’s visit to the Iranian capital on Monday marked his sixth trip since the conflict involving the United States and Israel against Iran began in February. The meeting followed Tehran's announcement that it had received intelligence regarding planned new US attacks.

During their discussions, President Pezeshkian expressed hope for deeper cooperation between Tehran and Islamabad, noting that US pressures have fostered greater convergence among Islamic nations. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the robust state of bilateral relations, stating they have reached an unprecedented high.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi traveled to New York to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), stopping in Doha en route to consult with Qatari officials. Majed al-Ansari, a spokesman for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed that Qatar is actively mediating to establish a dialogue and facilitate an agreement between Tehran and Washington, with coordination from Pakistan.

President Pezeshkian is also scheduled to address the UNGA and meet with international leaders in New York, following the US decision to grant visas to him and Abbas Araghchi while placing restrictions on other members of the Iranian delegation. In an interview with Fox News, US President Donald Trump stated he is considering various approaches regarding Iran, including potential military action, economic strangulation, or a negotiated agreement, adding he might be open to meeting his Iranian counterpart.

Addressing the diplomatic deadlock, top Iranian security official Mohsen Rezaei told Al Jazeera that Tehran has delivered a new set of conditions to the Trump administration to restart negotiations, following the expiration of a 60-day memorandum of understanding that failed to halt the conflict or reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Concurrently, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency reported attacks on two tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, an area where Iran continues to target vessels navigating without official authorization.