Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir will visit Tehran on Monday as Islamabad continues efforts to support peace and security talks between Iran and the US
Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir will travel to Tehran on Monday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Sunday, according to a statement issued by the ministry.
Baghaei said the visit forms part of Pakistan’s broader efforts to strengthen peace and security in the region.
The visit comes as Pakistan has taken on a mediator role in negotiations between Iran and the US aimed at bringing an end to their war.
Tehran issues warning over US sanctions
The visit comes amid escalating tesions as Iran warned countries, including its neighbours, against joining the US economic campaign, saying those that impose restrictions on Tehran could face retaliation.
Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, issued the warning on Saturday as the US prepares to unveil new sanctions expected to further tighten economic pressure on Tehran.
Speaking to state broadcaster IRIB, Rezaei appealed to countries around the world not to participate in what he called the US “economic war”.
“Any country that takes part in imposing economic restrictions on us will be regarded as an enemy,” he said, warning of a “seismic” retaliation.
More from WorldRezaei outlines three-stage response
Rezaei said Iran’s approach would begin with efforts to negotiate and de-escalate tensions before moving towards retaliation.
“Of course, we will first negotiate with them. We will hold talks and tell them to step aside and distance themselves from the United States. But if they do not act, we will strike. We will target that country’s interests,” he said.
His comments followed US President Donald Trump’s announcement that his administration would launch what he called the “most crushing economic operation” yet against Iran.
Trump also warned of “tremendous economic consequences” for countries that provide Iran with “any type of lifeline”.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reinforced the warning the following day, saying, “You’re either with us or against us.” He also called for China to cooperate, noting that it buys more than 80 per cent of Iran’s shipped oil.
Iran rejects legitimacy of secondary sanctions
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei also criticised the expected US sanctions on Saturday.
He described the move as an “assertion of extraterritorial sovereignty over every independent member state of the United Nations”.
“Such secondary sanctions find no foundation in international law,” he said in a post on X.
Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed
The warnings come as diplomatic efforts to end the war remain stalled and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively halted.
Iran blockaded the major shipping route after the US and Israel launched joint strikes against Iran on February 28. The disruption sent prices of commodities including oil and fertiliser sharply higher.
On Saturday, Iran’s government news agency IRNA reported that special permission had been granted for Iraqi oil tankers to pass through the strait.