Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir held talks with Iran’s leadership in Tehran as diplomatic efforts to end the war in Iran appeared to gather pace.
According to Iranian state broadcaster IRIB on Saturday, Munir met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi late on Friday for discussions that lasted past midnight.
No details of the talks were disclosed.
Munir is also expected to meet Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
Pakistani security sources had earlier told dpa that Munir was travelling to discuss a potential draft agreement between the United States and Iran.
Pakistani security sources had expressed optimism that a preliminary understanding between Washington and Tehran could be within reach. Pakistan has been acting as mediator between the sides.
The sources said Munir had waited to travel to Tehran until receiving a go-ahead from the Iranian negotiators that an initial agreement could realistically be reached.
It remained unclear which specific issues were currently under discussion.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry, however, sought to dampen expectations of an imminent breakthrough with Washington.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei told IRIB on Friday that Munir’s visit was part of an ongoing diplomatic process and should not be interpreted as a sign that an agreement with Washington was close.
Baghaei said the current talks remained focused on achieving an immediate end to the military tensions.
Other disputes between Iran and the United States - particularly over Tehran’s nuclear programme and the fate of highly enriched uranium - could only be negotiated after the fighting ends, he said.
