Cairo
Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir arrived in Tehran on Monday for talks as Washington prepared what Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called its biggest financial offensive against Tehran.
Munir’s visit came amid heightened economic and maritime pressure on Iran. Pakistan said the trip was part of its efforts to promote regional peace and stability. Pakistani sources said Munir was expected to meet people close to Iran’s supreme leader. Two Pakistani sources said Trump had spoken with Munir last week, with one saying the main request was to bring Iran back to negotiations.
The diplomatic effort coincided with a new U.S. campaign targeting Iran’s trade partners. Bessent said he would announce severe measures on Monday, describing the planned action as “the single greatest financial offensive ever” against an adversary. Iran, already under sanctions for decades, rejected the threat and warned it could halt all oil exports from the Gulf if what it called an economic war continued.
Tehran also tightened warnings over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, saying vessels must obtain permission to pass and threatening action against ships that violate its rules.
Regional tensions remained high after a projectile struck a tanker west of Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu port, causing a fire on the main deck, according to UK maritime monitors. The incident added to concerns over shipping security as tensions continue around the region.
Munir’s mission puts Pakistan at the centre of a delicate diplomatic effort as economic pressure and security risks intensify across the region in the coming days.
