Mohsin Naqvi Travels to Tehran for Talks Amid Iran-US Mediation Efforts

Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Raza Naqvi traveled to Tehran on Tuesday for talks with Iranian officials amid diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions and help end the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States.

Iran’s official news agency IRNA, citing a diplomatic source, reported that Naqvi left Islamabad early Tuesday for Tehran. The talks are expected to focus on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest.

There was no immediate confirmation of the visit from Pakistani or Iranian authorities.

Naqvi’s visit comes about a month after Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni traveled to Islamabad for talks with his Pakistani counterpart.

Qatar Says Hormuz Talks at ‘Advanced Stage’

Qatar said talks between Iran and Oman on arrangements for the Strait of Hormuz have reached an “advanced stage”.

Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said the negotiations were at a “critical juncture” and expressed hope that the strategic waterway would reopen “as soon as possible”.

“As mediators, we want the Strait of Hormuz reopened as soon as possible,” Ansari said.

He added that Qatar supports diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing regional tensions.

Iran and Oman have been discussing legal and technical arrangements for maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz after shipping activity was disrupted following the Iran-US military conflict.

Tehran has said that reopening the waterway depends on resolving disputes over what it describes as US violations of the June memorandum of understanding.

Araghchi Says US ‘Begged’ for Talks

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the United States later “begged” Iran to negotiate after initially demanding “unconditional surrender”.

Speaking on Iranian state television, Araghchi recalled US President Donald Trump’s earlier demand for Iran’s “Unconditional surrender”.

“That was what they wanted from us and, 20 days later, the same enemy was begging for negotiations,” he said.

Araghchi also said Iran had shown that it is “a tough and invincible power”. He claimed that many foreign officials had told him Iran had surprised the world with its ability to resist the United States.

Earlier, Araghchi held a phone conversation with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul. According to IRNA, Araghchi said insecurity in the Strait of Hormuz was caused by military aggression by the United States and Israel against Iran.

He also briefed his German counterpart on Iran’s consultations with Oman to establish a safe route for maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

Araghchi called on the international community to hold the US administration responsible for the security and economic consequences of the closure of the strategic waterway.