Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir To Visit Tehran On Monday Amid Iran-US Tensions

Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir will visit Tehran on Monday as efforts continue to bring peace and security to the region, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Sunday, according to a ministry statement.

Pakistan has assumed a mediator's role in negotiations between Iran and the US aimed at ending the war that began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran in February.

Pakistan, Iran In Direct Contact

Two Pakistani government sources confirmed Munir's visit to Reuters, with one saying Iran and Pakistan were in direct contact.

The second source said the discussions would cover recent developments in the conflict, including US President Donald Trump's threat to impose tougher sanctions on Iran.

"He (Munir) will discuss peace under Islamabad's MoU, Trump’s warning and the situation after the Pakistan-Turkey-Saudi Arabia Agreement and Houthi issues with Iranian leaders," the source said.

Visit Comes Amid Threat Of Iranian Military Response

Munir's visit comes amid heightened tensions, with Iran threatening a military response to US plans for sanctions that could put further strain on the Islamic Republic's ailing economy.

The visit will coincide with an announcement on Monday detailing the planned sanctions, which US officials have said would be "the ⁠toughest sanctions in history" on Iran.

Trump has warned of economic consequences for "any country" that provided "any type of lifeline to Iran" as he seeks to isolate the Islamic Republic.

Oil Shipments Hit In Strait Of Hormuz

Oil shipments have come to a virtual standstill in the Strait of Hormuz, with Tehran threatening to strike any unauthorised oil tankers attempting to transit the vital waterway.

Iran's economy is already under immense pressure from sanctions.