Pakistan steps up diplomacy as Tehran reviews latest US response

TEHRAN, Iran (MNTV) — Iran’s Foreign Ministry is reviewing a U.S. response delivered through Pakistani mediation to Tehran’s latest proposal aimed at ending the conflict, Iranian state media reported Thursday, as diplomatic efforts intensified amid fears a fragile ceasefire could collapse.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said “all paths” to a diplomatic solution with the United States “remain open from our side,” while warning that attempts to force Tehran into surrender through pressure or threats were “nothing but an illusion.”

Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi arrived in Tehran for the second time in less than a week carrying what officials described as a “crucial message” for the Iranian leadership, underlining the urgency of mediation efforts as negotiations remain stalled.

Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper cites diplomatic sources as saying Pakistan continued relaying messages between Tehran and Washington, but disputes over Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions relief, the Strait of Hormuz and broader regional security concerns linked to Tehran’s missile capabilities and allied armed groups were still obstructing progress.

The latest contacts come amid heightened pressure from Washington and its Middle Eastern allies. U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that negotiations with Iran were “in the final stages” and warned the United States could resume strikes if no agreement was reached within a “limited timeframe.”

Iran, meanwhile, warned any renewed U.S. attack could trigger a wider confrontation extending beyond the Middle East, while maintaining that diplomatic channels remained open to avoid renewed hostilities.

According to diplomatic observers, Naqvi’s meetings in Tehran, including talks with President Pezeshkian and Gen. Ahmad Vahidi, focused on Pakistan’s efforts to preserve the narrow opening for negotiations.

Iran’s ⁠ISNA news agency reported on Thursday that ⁠Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir ⁠will travel ⁠to Tehran later today as ‌part of the ongoing mediation efforts ⁠between Tehran and ⁠Washington, although Pakistani has not officially confirmed such plans.

Pakistan’s mediation push has reportedly become more complicated despite publicly cordial ties between Tehran and Islamabad.

According to diplomatic sources cited by Dawn, some Iranian officials view Pakistan through the prism of its close coordination with Gulf Arab states and Washington, while officials in Islamabad are uneasy about Iran’s engagement with India, including recent contacts at the BRICS summit.

The mediation effort has also received cautious backing from Gulf states concerned about the possibility of broader regional escalation and instability affecting global energy routes.

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud praised Pakistan’s mediation efforts in a post on X, saying Riyadh hoped Iran would “seize the opportunity” to avoid escalation and respond urgently to negotiations aimed at achieving a comprehensive agreement and lasting regional peace.

He also welcomed Trump’s decision to “give diplomacy a chance” to restore maritime security and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and address outstanding disputes.

Separately, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Trump during a phone call Wednesday that he welcomed the extension of the ceasefire and believed the contested issues between the sides could be resolved, according to the Turkish presidency.

Distrust, however, continued to dominate the negotiations as both Washington and Tehran maintained hard-line positions.

Trump said American forces were “ready to go” if diplomacy failed.

“If we don’t get the right answers, it goes very quickly,” Trump told reporters. “We have to get the right answers. It would have to be complete, 100% good answers.”

Tehran responded by accusing the U.S. president of preparing for renewed war. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned in a statement that if attacks resumed, “the promised regional war will extend beyond the region this time.”

In a post on X, Pezeshkian reiterated that Iran had “explored every avenue to avert war” and cautioned against coercion.

“Mutual respect in diplomacy is far wiser, safer, and more sustainable than war,” he said.

Iranian national security official Ebrahim Azizi said Iran’s experience demonstrated the “inherent and enduring untrustworthiness” of the United States and warned Tehran was prepared “for every scenario.”

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who is also involved in the country’s peace negotiations, said in an audio message on social media that “obvious and hidden moves by the enemy” suggested the Americans were preparing new attacks.