Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met with his Iranian counterpart, Eskandar Momeni, on Saturday evening in Tehran, as Islamabad continues its diplomatic push to help reduce tensions between Iran and the United States.

Naqvi is carrying a special message from Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed to Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution. This marks Naqvi’s latest visit to Iran; he previously traveled to Tehran in April alongside the army chief, followed by additional trips in late May and early June.

Speaking after the meeting, Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni highlighted the deep bonds between the two nations. “Pakistan is a very large country and we have a religious and cultural shared history and many commonalities with each other. Pakistan is our friend, brother and neighbor,” Momeni said. He noted that the Leader had also referred to these cultural and historical ties in his first message.

Momeni said part of the discussions focused on bilateral cooperation, including border security, the fight against drug trafficking, and combating terrorism. On the economic front, both sides agreed to boost annual trade volume from the current $3 billion to $10 billion, with support expected from other ministries in both countries.

The Iranian minister also thanked Pakistan for its active role in mediating between Iran and the United States. “I appreciate the active role of the friendly and brotherly country of Pakistan in mediating the reduction of tension between Iran and the United States,” he added, referencing close coordination between the two countries at the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

In response, Minister Naqvi emphasized the fraternal relationship between the two neighbors. “Iran and Pakistan have brotherly relations and when a problem comes forward for one brother, the other brother will also feel it,” he said. “We hope that these crises will end soon with the efforts of Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Army Chief of Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir.”

Naqvi confirmed he had delivered the important letter from Pakistan’s top civilian and military leadership. “I think this message is an important one. I hope everything goes well and ends well,” he stated.

The visit underscores Pakistan’s growing diplomatic engagement with Iran at a sensitive time, leveraging longstanding religious, cultural, and geographic ties to support regional de-escalation. (ILKHA)