World · South & Central Asia · 2 hrs ago
Pakistan military cautiously optimistic about Iran-US mediation
Pakistan’s military says efforts to mediate between Iran and the United States show some promise.
The conflict has lasted eight months, and mediators are seeking to revive a ceasefire that collapsed months after it was agreed in June.
Army chief Asim Munir has visited Tehran twice this month, most recently on Monday with Saudi and Turkish officials.
Military spokesman Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said the visits were a positive sign but stressed that Pakistan was only “cautiously optimistic.”
He warned that unnamed parties may try to obstruct the talks because they believe the conflict serves their interests.
Qatar’s mediators also arrived in Tehran on Friday in an apparent effort to restart ceasefire negotiations.
The talks matter as the war fuels fears of a wider regional conflict, while Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey have a joint defence pact; no outcome or next step in the mediation was confirmed.
Pakistan’s military spokesman said the country was “cautiously optimistic” about mediation efforts between Iran and the United States.
Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry pointed to positive signs after Pakistan’s army chief visited Tehran twice this month.
Chaudhry warned that unnamed “powerful spoilers and detractors” still believe the conflict serves them.
The mediation aims to de-escalate the eight-month-old war and revive a ceasefire that collapsed months after it began in June.
Qatari mediators also arrived in Tehran on Friday in an apparent effort to help revive the ceasefire.
- Who
- Pakistan’s military, represented by spokesman Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, is involved in mediation between Iran and the United States.
- What
- Chaudhry said Pakistan was “cautiously optimistic” about the mediation.
- When
- Friday, October 30, 2026.
- Where
- Chaudhry spoke in Rawalpindi, Pakistan; mediation efforts included visits to Tehran, Iran.
- Why
- The efforts seek to de-escalate the war and revive a ceasefire.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey signed a joint defence pact.
Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir visited Tehran with Saudi and Turkish officials.
Chaudhry said Pakistan was cautiously optimistic about mediation efforts.
Qatari mediators arrived in Tehran in an apparent bid to revive the ceasefire.
- Pakistan’s army chief
- Field Marshal Asim Munir
- Military spokesman
- Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry
- War duration
- Eight months
- Joint defence pact
- Signed August 7 by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey
- Ceasefire
- Began in June and collapsed months later
3 sources
What people are saying
Why would the Field Marshal be going twice if it is not for some positivity? So yes, of course.
The word that we would use is always cautiously optimistic,
Anyone who has a shared vision of collective deterrence and regional peace, why not? Everyone is most welcome,