When Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi landed in Tehran this week, the visit carried a weight far beyond routine diplomacy. Behind the handshakes and official meetings lay a strategic agenda: advancing the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and Pakistan's quiet role as a go-between in the fraught US-Iran relationship. Main Developments Naqvi arrived in Tehran on Tuesday and was received by his Iranian counterpart, Eskandar Momeni. He subsequently held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to Iranian media reports. Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi, addressing a weekly press briefing on Wednesday, framed the visit as an opportunity to discuss bilateral relations, security-related matters, and regional developments. He stressed the focus on promoting peace, stability, and constructive engagement among regional parties. Read also: Why Pakistan's new youth push signals a policy shift A diplomatic source in Tehran told Dawn that the principal objective was to follow up on the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and Pakistan's mediation between Iran and the US. Andrabi reiterated that Pakistan remained engaged with 'brotherly states' in sincere efforts toward a resolution of the crisis. 'Pakistan is making all-out efforts to bring the two parties to the negotiating table and the Islamabad MoU and pave the way for peace and stability in the region,' he said. He also warned that Pakistan would continue to 'offset spoilers using direct and indirect channels' to ensure constructive dialogue continues. Background This visit comes amid a broader regional realignment. Last week, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye signed a joint defence agreement in Makkah, which Andrabi called the 'highlight of the week.' The pact strengthens collective deterrence, treating an attack on one as an attack on all. Andrabi described the agreement as purely defensive, reflecting 'long-standing brotherly relations' and a resolve to share the burden of regional peace and security. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar had earlier congratulated the nation on the agreement, stressing its defensive nature and that it was not aimed at any country. Pakistan's mediation efforts between the US and Iran have been a recurring theme in regional diplomacy. The Islamabad MoU, referenced by officials, appears to be a framework for dialogue, though its details remain opaque. Why It Matters The stakes are high. Pakistan is positioning itself as a pivotal mediator in one of the world's most volatile standoffs. Success could enhance its regional stature and contribute to de-escalation, while failure risks sidelining it in future negotiations. For Iran, engagement with Pakistan offers a channel to the US amid ongoing tensions. The defence pact with Saudi Arabia and Turkiye further signals a shifting security architecture in the region, with Pakistan playing a central role. At the same time, the FO's rejection of Indian remarks on Azad Jammu and Kashmir underscores the persistent friction. Andrabi dismissed India's concerns as 'baseless,' pointing to what he called India's own record in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, including excessive force and arbitrary detention. What's Next Naqvi's meetings in Tehran are expected to yield concrete follow-up steps on the Islamabad MoU, though no timeline has been announced. Pakistan's mediation efforts will likely continue, with officials vowing to counter any 'spoilers' seeking to derail dialogue. Meanwhile, the defence pact with Saudi Arabia and Turkiye will be implemented, with potential joint exercises or coordination mechanisms. On Kashmir, Pakistan is likely to maintain its stance, urging India to honor UN resolutions and allow a plebiscite.