Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi Signals Hope for ‘Positive Progress’ as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Talks Face Delay

Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi meets US official Natalie Baker to discuss stalled US-Iran ceasefire talks. Read about Pakistan's role in the 2026 peace process.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 23, 2026, 6:02 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Times of Israel

Diplomatic Coordination in Islamabad

In a strategic meeting held in the Pakistani capital, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker reviewed the fragile state of international efforts to secure a lasting peace between Washington and Tehran. The meeting focused on the logistical and political hurdles preventing the second round of ceasefire talks from commencing. Naqvi’s statement following the session emphasized a shared goal of regional stability, with the Minister noting that Pakistan remains a committed partner in the diplomatic theater. This engagement comes at a critical moment as the international community monitors Iran’s response to the recently extended ceasefire.

Pakistan’s ‘Constructive Role’ in Regional Peace

During the exchange, Natalie Baker praised Pakistan for its "constructive role" in promoting peace within the volatile Middle Eastern landscape. As a nation sharing a direct border with Iran and maintaining a long-standing security partnership with the United States, Pakistan has positioned itself as a vital intermediary. Naqvi highlighted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir are actively engaged in high-level backchannel communications to prevent a return to full-scale hostilities. This "all-hands" approach from the Pakistani civil and military leadership is seen as a necessary push to bring all parties back to the negotiating table.

Responding to the Trump Administration’s De-escalation

A significant portion of the discussion was dedicated to the recent actions of U.S. President Donald Trump, who moved to extend the temporary ceasefire earlier this week. Naqvi lauded the move as a "welcome step" toward de-escalation, suggesting that the reprieve provides a vital window for diplomacy to supersede military action. The Minister’s public praise for the Trump administration’s restraint underscores Islamabad's desire for a peaceful settlement that avoids further disruption to regional energy security and trade—concerns that have grown increasingly acute since the war began in early 2026.