Iran has offered to mediate between Pakistan and Afghanistan after recent peace talks in Istanbul collapsed without progress. The proposal emerged during a meeting in Tehran between Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian and Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Tuesday.
Both leaders stressed the need for unity and dialogue among Muslim countries to tackle shared challenges. President Pezeshkian highlighted Iran’s long-standing ties with Pakistan and called for stronger regional cooperation. He said Iran remains committed to promoting peace and building trust across South Asia.
Minister Naqvi appreciated Iran’s willingness to help defuse tensions with Afghanistan. He noted that Pakistan supports any constructive initiative that can improve regional stability and curb militant activities along the shared border.
Security cooperation discussed in Tehran
During the meeting, the two sides discussed regional security, cross-border coordination, and the welfare of pilgrims traveling between Pakistan and Iran. They also covered issues related to the Pak-Iran border and ways to prevent smuggling and militancy.
Upon arrival in Tehran, Minister Naqvi received a warm welcome from Iranian Deputy Interior Minister Ali Zeinvand. He will continue consultations with Iranian officials on enhancing cooperation in counterterrorism and border management.
Istanbul talks end without progress
Iran’s mediation offer follows the failure of the latest round of talks between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban government. The four-day negotiations in Istanbul, held under Qatari and Turkish mediation, ended without a breakthrough earlier this month.
Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Pakistan presented concrete evidence of terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory. However, he blamed Kabul for avoiding firm commitments to prevent attacks inside Pakistan.
Tarar stressed that Pakistan wants peaceful relations with Afghanistan. Yet, he warned that Islamabad will not tolerate cross-border terrorism, especially when hostile actors exploit Afghan soil.
