Pakistan’s Naqvi visits Iran with ‘special letter’ for supreme leader

Mediator Pakistan ramps up diplomatic efforts to end US-Iran war as Gulf countries warn of escalation.Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has travelled to Iran to deliver a “special letter” to Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei as part of diplomatic efforts to end the United States-Israeli war on Iran, which began 100 days ago.Naqvi arrived in the Iranian capital, Tehran, late on Saturday, and met his Iranian counterpart, Eskandar Momeni. The two discussed the “latest regional developments and matters related to internal security”, among other issues, Naqvi said on social media. Before his arrival, Iranian media reported that the Pakistani official was carrying a letter from his country’s army chief and prime minister ⁠⁠for the supreme leader.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Iran fires missiles at Gulf after US targets Iranian radar siteslist 2 of 3Israeli attacks in Lebanon kill 12 people, including high-ranking officerslist 3 of 3100 days into the war on Iran, Trump fails to rally US supportend of listHis visit comes amid renewed tensions in the Gulf region. On Sunday, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces had shot down two Iranian one-way attack drones “that threatened international maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz”.On Friday, it said it intercepted seven ballistic missiles heading towards Kuwait and Bahrain hours after it had shot down four Iranian drones launched towards the strait, a key waterway through which about 20 percent of globally traded oil normally passes. United States forces said they “subsequently” struck Iranian coastal surveillance radar sites in Garuk and on Qeshm Island “to defend against further maritime attacks”.The attacks drew the ire of Gulf nations that are bearing the brunt of a war they lobbied against. Bahrain denounced the latest attacks as “blatant aggression”. The island nation hosts the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet. Kuwait said the attacks “represent a dangerous escalation”. Egypt, Jordan and Qatar joined the condemnation.Negotiations at ‘deadlock’Despite tit-for-tat attacks and sporadic exchanges of fire, negotiations over a deal to end the war are continuing, but an agreement remains elusive.