Amb Waheed Ahmad (Former Diplomat). Visit of Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir to Tehran is continuation of Pakistan’s ongoing diplomacy on Mideast conflict. There was an interval in talks between US and Iran and both sides had lost contacts due to belligerent statements and attitude against each other. This situation required some sort of breakthrough to resume process of diplomacy. In this regard, conversation between Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and US President Donald Trump before this trip also gave an encouragement for resumption of talks. Visit to Tehran is a step towards the confidence building between both the warring nations. Pakistan has historical ties with Iran and can’t afford any misunderstanding in these ties because Iran is neighbor to Pakistan and neighbors can’t be changed. Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir’s visit was aimed to end war like situation between US and Iran. I think that once this issue is resolved, then Iran may assist Pakistan in rooting out terrorism from Balochistan. Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir’s efforts may be seen in broader regional context as we may see a broader regional cooperation covering Iran and Gulf countries. In post war era, we find a totally different kind of region. Other Muslim countries must also join peace efforts between Iran and US, but Iran is not convenient in talks with other Muslim countries. At present no gulf country is in a position to maintain supply chain to huge number of US marines as US supply centres in some countries are fully destroyed in Iranian strikes. Indians want failure of Pakistan’s mediation between US and Iran; however, Pakistan will remain successful this time also like the previous one as Pakistan successfully got Islamabad Accord approved from both Iran and US. Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir ’s visit has removed suspicions as well as it opened a new window of contacts between US and Iran. Actually, the US is entangled in war and wants a safe exit because there is strong opposition to war inside the US.

Amb A M Shahid (Former Diplomat): Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir’s visit is crucial as ceasefire MoU between the US and Iran had expired. Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir held talks with top Iranian leadership. He has been successful in convincing Iranian leadership to return to peace talks. I think that new US sanctions on Iran are merely pressure tactics because Iran has already proved a resilient country to US sanctions. Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Interior minister Mohsin Naqvi during their visit to Iran held successful discussions with Iranian leadership. I think that their peace efforts would be commended whenever both Iran and the US sit for talks. We have seen that war could not change anything as Iran is not acting as per US desires. So, diplomacy is must for global economic stability.