Asim Munir in Tehran; Islamic Republic does not rule out renewed war

Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan's army chief, arrived in Tehran on Tuesday, 20 October 2026. DIAR's earlier report had announced the trip, which comes amid a deadlock in talks between the Islamic Republic and the United States and a day after Sergei Lavrov's visit. It is Asim Munir's fifth trip to Tehran since the June 2026 understanding.

Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesman for the Islamic Republic's foreign ministry, said at his weekly briefing that the talks with Pakistan's army chief focus mainly on bilateral relations and expanding cooperation, but also address matters related to the negotiations. He also said the Islamic Republic cannot rule out the possibility of a resumption of the war. A spokesman for a parliamentary committee also rejected the speculation that Munir's trip is a fresh mediation effort. Pakistan's army had not officially confirmed the trip as of publication of this report.

The Strait of Hormuz knot and the nuclear file

Talks between the Islamic Republic and the United States are stalled over two issues: the future of the Strait of Hormuz and the nuclear programme. Tehran sets as conditions the lifting of the naval blockade of its southern ports and a reduction of oil sanctions, while Washington wants the nuclear file settled first. Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed the same day that two tankers in the Strait of Hormuz had struck mines laid by the force and caught fire; no independent source has confirmed the claim.

The trip comes as US War Secretary Pete Hegseth met Benjamin Netanyahu on an unannounced visit, and options for confronting the Islamic Republic are on the agenda in Washington and Israel.

Background of Pakistan's mediation

Pakistan has mediated between Tehran and Washington since the war began in February–March this year, and Asim Munir had already travelled to Tehran several times to advance this mediation. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's trip to Tehran on Monday was also made with the stated aim of preventing a return to full-scale war.

Pakistan's army chief arrived in Tehran as the Islamic Republic itself speaks of the possibility of a return to war.