Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his Iranian counterpart, Eskandar Momeni, held a significant meeting in Kyrgyzstan's capital, Bishkek, on Friday to discuss efforts to reduce regional tensions and matters related to internal security, the Interior Ministry reported.
Meeting on SCO Sidelines
The meeting took place on the sidelines of a gathering of interior and public security ministers from Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states in Bishkek, held from June 4 to June 6. In a post on X, the ministry stated that the two ministers discussed Pakistan-Iran relations and the latest regional developments.
“De-escalation efforts and internal security issues were discussed,” the ministry said, adding that both sides exchanged views on regional developments. The ministry further emphasized that both interior ministers stressed the need to continue diplomatic efforts on a sustained basis to ensure lasting peace in the region.
Recent Diplomatic Engagements
Naqvi last visited Tehran on May 21, a four-day trip that marked his second visit within days, underscoring a growing sense of urgency. Some sources claimed that US President Donald Trump had set a timeline for negotiations to succeed or risk renewed military escalation. During that visit, Naqvi met with Ahmad Vahidi, a senior commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, considered one of the country's most powerful figures after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Naqvi also met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian for the second time in less than a week.
Two days after Naqvi's visit, Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir visited Tehran, holding meetings with President Pezeshkian, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni. According to the military's media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), “The discussions remained focused upon expediting the consultative process underway to support peace and stability in the region and to reach a conclusive agreement.”
Background of Conflict
On February 28, the US and Israel launched a joint offensive against Iran. Tehran retaliated with strikes on Israel and other Gulf countries hosting US assets. Pakistan subsequently positioned itself as a key mediator, brokering a two-week ceasefire and hosting the highest-level US-Iran talks since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Although the "Islamabad Talks" ended without agreement, the ceasefire was held and later extended upon Islamabad's request. Since then, the two sides have been exchanging proposals and counter-proposals to reach a middle ground and resume direct talks aimed at ending the conflict, which has disrupted global energy supplies and daily life across the region.
Current Stalemate
While Pakistan remains hopeful for the resumption of direct talks, sources indicated there was no “significant” change in Iran’s earlier stance on the nuclear issue in its response to US proposals. According to sources, Tehran’s response—delivered to the United States via Islamabad last week—primarily focused on an “immediate” end to hostilities, with “little [in it] in terms of Washington’s core demand about Iran’s nuclear programme.” Iran, the sources added, has proposed “broader and separate” talks on the nuclear issue, citing its “complexity.” However, Tehran has “reiterated” its willingness to halt uranium enrichment for a period of five years, while rejecting Washington’s demand for a 20-year moratorium.
