Asim Munir in Tehran as Iran says Hormuz stays closed until US accepts its terms
Pakistan's army chief carried messages between Washington and Tehran on his fifth Iran visit, and the Pakistan–Iran border reopened. Iran insists the strait will not fully reopen until the US honours the Islamabad understanding.
At a glance
- Field Marshal Asim Munir, with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, met President Masoud Pezeshkian, Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and security chief Mohsen Rezaei in Tehran on Tuesday, October 20 — his fifth trip to Iran in recent months.
- Munir carried messages between the US and Iran; the Pakistan–Iran border, recently closed over what he called temporary technical issues, reopened the same morning.
- Araghchi said the Strait of Hormuz will not fully reopen until the US accepts Iran's conditions, including honouring the June 'Islamabad memorandum'; indirect talks continue through Pakistan and Qatar.
- The White House says the US will not attack Iran before the November 3 midterms; Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth met Netanyahu in Israel, and Brent crude hit $111.99, a five-month high.
Pakistan's army chief has made another attempt to keep US–Iran diplomacy alive. Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir held talks with Iran's top leadership in Tehran on Tuesday, October 20, carrying messages between Washington and Tehran. Hours later, Iran's foreign minister said the Strait of Hormuz will stay closed to general shipping until the United States accepts Iran's terms.
Munir's meetings in Tehran
| Iranian leader | Role | Key message |
|---|---|---|
| Masoud Pezeshkian | President | Thanked Pakistan; said pressure, threats and sanctions must end before talks resume |
| Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf | Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator | US must meet Iran's "seven conditions"; accused Washington of violating the "Islamabad understanding" |
| Abbas Araghchi | Foreign Minister | Talks continue through Pakistan and Qatar |
| Mohsen Rezaei | Supreme National Security Council secretary | Enriched nuclear material will not leave Iran; no negotiations until the US builds trust |
Munir was accompanied by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. It was his fifth visit to Iran since the June agreement. Iranian readouts said he received a "clear, serious and explicit" reply to a US message, though neither message was made public. He also conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Speaker Ayaz Sadiq.
Pakistan–Iran border reopens
Munir told Iranian officials that recent problems on the Pakistan–Iran border were "temporary and technical" and that the border had reopened that morning. The reopening matters for traders, pilgrims and families on both sides, especially in Balochistan.
Iran's position on Hormuz
Araghchi said the strait "will not be open to everyone" until an agreement is reached. He set out a seven-day plan under which the strait would reopen on the sixth day — but only if the US commits to implementing the Islamabad memorandum signed in June. Iran and Oman have agreed designated shipping routes that would be used if a deal is reached, and Iran has opened special routes for Iraqi vessels.
Iran's demands include a Middle East-wide ceasefire, the release of frozen assets and the lifting of oil sanctions. Araghchi called the nuclear issue "nothing more than a pretext" and said Iran is ready to resume fighting if the standoff escalates.
The US and Israel
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio called a peace deal with Iran "extremely difficult" and said economic pressure will continue until Iran stops attacking shipping.
- The White House said the US "will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the midterm elections" on November 3.
- Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on an unannounced visit to Israel, days before Israel's October 27 election. Netanyahu said Israel is "committed to completing the elimination of the Iranian regime".
- Reports say Israel had prepared large-scale strikes on Iran for the weekend of October 10, which were shelved after President Trump opposed restarting the war before the midterms. A third US aircraft carrier group is heading to the region.
Background
The war began in late February 2026, when the US and Israel struck Iran. A ceasefire followed in April, and Pakistan brokered an interim memorandum of understanding in Islamabad in June, but it faltered amid renewed attacks around the strait. Talks on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in September produced no breakthrough.
Why it matters for Pakistan
- Oil prices: Brent crude touched $111.99, a five-month high, on Tuesday. Pakistan imports most of its oil, and petrol rose again on October 21.
- Balancing act: Pakistan is mediating with Iran while pledging to defend Saudi Arabia under the Makkah defence pact as Houthi attacks on the kingdom escalate.
- Border and trade: stable relations with Iran are vital for Balochistan's economy and for security along the 900km border.
What happens next
Further shuttle diplomacy through Pakistan and Qatar is expected. Watch for any US response to Iran's seven-day plan, the result of Israel's October 27 election, and whether shipping attacks in the Gulf ease or intensify.
Questions people are asking
Why did Asim Munir visit Iran?
As a key mediator between the United States and Iran, Pakistan's army chief carried messages between the two sides and discussed regional tensions and bilateral ties. It was his fifth visit to Iran since the June interim agreement known as the Islamabad memorandum.
Is the Strait of Hormuz open?
Not fully. Iran's foreign minister said on October 21, 2026, that the strait will stay closed to general traffic until an understanding is reached with the US. Shipping remains severely disrupted, with attacks and mine incidents reported.
Is the Pakistan–Iran border open?
Yes. Field Marshal Asim Munir told Iranian officials on October 20 that recent border problems were temporary and technical and that the border had reopened that morning.
