Reported phone call came days before Pakistan’s army chief travelled to Iran as Islamabad sought to ease regional tensions

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir spoke with US President Donald Trump last week, according to three Pakistani sources, days before travelling to Tehran for talks with senior Iranian officials.

The previously unreported conversation took place as Washington threatened sweeping economic sanctions against Iran and countries maintaining significant commercial links with Tehran. However, details of the Munir-Trump discussion remain unclear.

The White House did not immediately comment on the reported conversation.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s military confirmed Munir’s Tehran visit on Monday, describing it as part of Islamabad’s efforts to promote regional peace and stability. Iranian officials had earlier said discussions would focus on security and peace.

Pakistan Steps Up Diplomatic Engagement

Munir was expected to meet figures close to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, according to one Pakistani source.

Moreover, US-Iran tensions were expected to feature prominently in his discussions. Pakistan has maintained economic relations with neighbouring Iran while simultaneously cultivating close relations with Washington.

Trump recently warned countries against providing Iran with what he described as any form of economic “lifeline.” Tehran, meanwhile, threatened to halt Gulf oil exports if pressure intensified.

Islamabad Seeks to Bridge US-Iran Trust Deficit

Pakistan has attempted to mediate between Washington and Tehran during this year’s confrontation. Those efforts contributed to an interim understanding reached in June, although renewed hostilities subsequently weakened the arrangement.

According to another Pakistani source, Munir’s Tehran agenda was also expected to include attacks by Iran-aligned Houthi forces against Saudi Arabia and the recently concluded mutual defence agreement involving Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia.

Consequently, Islamabad faces the delicate task of balancing relations with competing regional powers while preventing further escalation.

“There is a trust deficit on both sides,” one Pakistani source said regarding Washington and Tehran.

Munir’s latest diplomatic engagement, the source added, aims to reduce that mistrust and preserve channels for negotiations as tensions again threaten broader regional stability.