Spokesman Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said on Friday Pakistan is "cautiously
optimistic" about mediating a US‑Iran de‑escalation, noting Army chief General
Munir visited Tehran twice this month, most recently on Monday accompanied by
Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim
Kalin. Chaudhry said the repeat trips indicate some positive progress but warned
powerful spoilers remain and declined to disclose meeting details or whether the
US supported the visit. He said defense agreements among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia
and Turkey do not preclude new members; Iran could be welcomed if it endorses
collective deterrence and regional peace, but any admission would require
political sign‑off by the three governments. Pakistan reaffirmed it will honor
commitments to defend Saudi Arabia and the holy sites of Mecca and Medina, but
said any additional troop deployments under the pact would depend on the
situation and political leadership. He added Pakistan is not a party to the
Yemen conflict and views it as an internal matter.
