Iran has called on the United States to take the first step towards de-escalation by honouring its commitments under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), conveying the message to Pakistan as Islamabad seeks to revive diplomatic efforts to end the US-Iran conflict.
The message was delivered during Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir’s meetings in Tehran with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Bagher Ghalibaf, and Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Gen Mohsen Rezaei.
The army chief visited Tehran to assess the possibility of reviving the understanding reached in June under the Islamabad MoU.
“We are committed to implementing the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding. It is the United States that must adhere to its commitments,” Ghalibaf told Field Marshal Munir, according to an Iranian account of their meeting.
Gen Rezaei also stressed Tehran’s lack of trust in Washington, saying the US needed to change its behaviour.
Field Marshal Munir reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to continuing efforts to restore regional stability, according to Iranian state media.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi accompanied the army chief during the one-day visit. He also held meetings with Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the discussions focused on measures to prevent further escalation, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and expediting an end to the conflict. The two sides also discussed regional peace and efforts to reach a negotiated settlement.
Iranian leaders appreciated Pakistan’s role and efforts to facilitate dialogue, de-escalation and a peaceful resolution, ISPR said.
The visit came as the two sides resumed hostilities following the expiry of the 60-day ceasefire brokered under the Islamabad MoU. Pakistan continues to view the agreement as a framework for restoring dialogue, while Tehran maintains that Washington must first address what Iran considers violations of the understanding.
Field Marshal Munir’s visit also followed his telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump last week. Although details of the call have not been made public, the contact gave Islamabad an opportunity to convey the US position to Tehran and assess Iran’s willingness to resume talks.
The army chief’s visit came shortly before Washington announced a fresh campaign of economic pressure against Iran, including sanctions and restrictions targeting Iranian oil exports.
Tehran has warned that increased US pressure would further intensify the confrontation rather than create conditions for negotiations.
Ghalibaf criticised Washington’s approach, saying it was undermining regional stability and further eroding trust in the US.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a key point of contention, with Iran insisting that Washington first fulfil its commitments concerning the strategic waterway before Tehran considers broader reopening measures and a return to negotiations.
Gen Rezaei, who recently assumed charge as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, also highlighted Iran’s security interests in the Strait of Hormuz and stressed that any future settlement must address the military and economic pressure facing Tehran.
Meanwhile, the issue of navigation through the strait is also being discussed through a separate diplomatic channel involving Iran and Oman. Omani Foreign Minister Badr Al Busaidi is scheduled to visit Tehran on Tuesday as diplomatic efforts intensify over the waterway and Pakistan seeks to revive its role in the broader US-Iran peace process.
