By Rasheed Ahmad Chughtai
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A Visit at a Time of Turmoil
On the evening of July 20, r2026, Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni arrived in Islamabad leading a high-level delegation. His team included the governor of Iran’s Sistan‑Baluchestan province, the deputy interior minister, the deputy minister of urban development and transport, the head of the National Iranian Oil Company, a special representative of the agriculture ministry, and senior commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi received him at the airport, calling Momeni “brother” and expressing hope that the visit would bring “good news”. Momeni described Pakistan‑Iran relations as “exceptional,” rooted in mutual trust and shared history.
The backdrop of this visit is a full‑scale war already under way between the United States and Iran.
The US‑Iran War: Numbers and Realities
On July 7, 2026, Iran attacked merchant ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The United States responded with air strikes, breaking a temporary ceasefire that had been brokered just weeks earlier. Since then, American warplanes have struck Iranian targets on multiple consecutive nights.
American casualties – Since the war began on February 28, 2026, 17 US service members have been killed. On July 17, two American soldiers died in Jordan from Iranian ballistic missiles and drone attacks. The next day, a third soldier was killed in northern Iraq while handling a downed Iranian drone. The Pentagon has confirmed that nearly 100 US personnel have been wounded since July 7.
Iranian casualties – Iran reports that the latest American air strikes have killed at least 50 people and wounded 517 others.
Scope of strikes – US targets have expanded from military installations to bridges and airports. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has struck American targets in Bahrain and Kuwait in phases, and has fired missiles into Jordan. President Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran has stated that the country is in a “full‑scale war”.
Despite the fighting, diplomatic channels have not been completely closed. Mediators have proposed a ten‑day ceasefire to both sides. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also said that Washington remains open to dialogue.
The Nuclear Threshold: How Close to a Bomb?
This is one of Pakistan’s deepest strategic concerns.
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran now holds more than 400 kg of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity – enough, if further purified to weapons‑grade level of 90 percent, to produce about ten nuclear bombs. Iran is the only non‑nuclear‑weapon state enriching uranium to this high level.
Even more worrying is the production speed. The IAEA reports that Iran has increased its monthly output of 60‑percent enriched uranium from about 3 kilograms back up to 9 kilograms.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi has admitted that the agency has lost continuous oversight of Iran’s nuclear programme for nearly a year due to US and Israeli strikes, creating significant blind spots.
For Pakistan, if Iran crosses the nuclear threshold, it would completely change the regional strategic landscape – potentially triggering pre‑emptive strikes by the United States or Israel, with Pakistan on the front line if fighting spreads.
The Strait of Hormuz: The World’s Oil Lifeline
The Strait of Hormuz is only 33 kilometres wide at its narrowest point. About 17 to 18 million barrels of crude oil pass through it every day – roughly 20 percent of global oil consumption.
Oil flows through the strait dropped from normal levels to about 4 million barrels per day in May. Although they recovered somewhat in June, global crude oil inventories have been drawn down to very low levels. Renewed restrictions on maritime traffic through the waterway have sent crude oil prices to their highest levels in weeks.
For Pakistan, any disruption would send global oil prices soaring by 20 to 30 percent – and Pakistan is heavily dependent on energy imports.
The Lifeline of Eight Million Overseas Workers
In the 2025‑2026 fiscal year, Pakistan received a record $41.6 billion in remittances from its citizens working abroad, an increase of 8.6 percent over the previous year.
Nearly half of that money comes from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. In June 2026 alone, remittances from Saudi Arabia reached $829.6 million, and from the UAE $792.2 million.
If the conflict escalates to the point where more than 8 million Pakistani workers have to be evacuated, Pakistan’s economy would face collapse. That is one of the fundamental reasons why Islamabad is so eager to push for a ceasefire.
Border Security: A 959‑Kilometre Fragile Frontier
Pakistan and Iran share a 959‑kilometre border running through Balochistan and Sistan‑Baluchestan.
This border has long been a security headache. The militant group Jaish ul‑Adl, which Iran designates as a terrorist organisation, has launched several attacks on Iranian targets from Pakistani soil. In July 2026, Iran struck Jaish ul‑Adl positions inside Pakistan with missiles and drones. Pakistan then carried out retaliatory strikes against terrorist hideouts on the Iranian side.
A central item on Momeni’s agenda is strengthening border management cooperation. The two sides have already agreed to increase bilateral trade from the current $3 billion to $10 billion, and they plan to allow 2,000 trucks to cross the border every day.
The Delegation’s Activities and Meetings in Islamabad
Upon arrival, Momeni was received with full protocol at Islamabad International Airport. The visit unfolded with a series of high-level engagements:
· Meeting with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi (July 20): Formal talks were held shortly after arrival, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to deepening cooperation on border management, counter-terrorism, and regional security.
· Pakistan Monument Visit (July 21): Momeni visited the Pakistan Monument, where he laid a floral wreath at the Martyrs’ Memorial and offered Fateha. A contingent of the Federal Constabulary presented a guard of honour. He toured the monument and viewed the panoramic landscape of Islamabad and the Margalla Hills from Shakarparian.
· Meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (July 21): At the PM House, the Prime Minister expressed deep concern over the escalation in the Gulf region and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to playing the role of an “honest and sincere mediator”. Momeni conveyed greetings from Iran’s leadership and expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s mediation efforts that led to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and other senior officials were also present.
· Meeting with Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir (July 21): At the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, the two discussed matters of mutual interest, regional and bilateral security, and effective border management. Momeni appreciated Pakistan’s consistent efforts in easing regional tensions and serving as an “anchor for peace”.
· Police Parade and Awards (July 21): Momeni visited Police Lines Islamabad, where a ceremonial parade was held in his honour. He inspected the parade with Minister of State Talal Chaudhry and distributed awards to police personnel for outstanding performance.
Throughout the visit, Momeni was accompanied by Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry.
Latest Developments: Ceasefire Proposals and a Diplomatic Window
As of July 21, 2026, the following are the most recent facts:
· Joint Pakistan-Qatar Proposal: Pakistan and Qatar have jointly proposed that both sides return to their positions as of July 9 as a first step toward ending hostilities. The proposal includes a two‑week ceasefire to pause retaliatory strikes and create room for negotiations. Under the plan, Iran would immediately reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while the US would end its blockade of Iranian ports and lift sanctions on Iranian oil sales.
· Iran’s Response: Iran has confirmed receiving the proposals and is reviewing them, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei stating that “defence and diplomacy do not have to be mutually exclusive”.
· US Position: The United States has indicated that it remains open to a “diplomatic solution.”
· Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding: Iran’s deputy foreign minister has announced that Tehran has suspended its commitments under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding signed in June.
· Pakistan’s Mediation Role: As The New York Times has noted, Pakistan has established itself as a “guarantor of peace”. However, since the deal collapsed, Pakistani officials have struggled to make their calls for further dialogue heard.
Interior Minister Momeni’s visit to Islamabad is Pakistan’s latest effort to push for a diplomatic resolution amid a full‑scale US‑Iran war. As Pakistan’s Interior Minister Naqvi hopes, whether this visit brings “good news” matters not only for bilateral relations but for war and peace across the entire region.
Pakistan’s role is limited – it is neither a party to the conflict nor able to unilaterally decide the war’s course. But at this volatile moment, Pakistan provides a rare communication channel. With war clouds over the Strait of Hormuz, the nuclear threshold drawing nearer, and the fate of millions of overseas workers hanging in the balance, this visit carries far more weight than mere diplomatic protocol. The hope for peace remains faint, but the diplomatic window has not yet fully closed.
