Pakistani army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir carried a fresh US-drafted framework to Tehran during a visit on August 23, under which Washington would lift its naval blockade and ease sanctions in stages in return for Iran fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz, Saudi broadcaster Al Hadath claimed; Iranian media reported on August 24.

The reported message, which neither Washington nor Tehran has confirmed, points to renewed efforts to salvage the faltering Islamabad memorandum that underpinned the US-Iran ceasefire, with Pakistan again positioning itself as the primary intermediary between the two sides. Munir spoke with US President Donald Trump by phone before travelling to Tehran, according to Al Hadath.

Under the framework described by the broadcaster, Washington asked Tehran to fully reopen the strait and prevent retaliatory operations by allied groups in the region in exchange for lifting the blockade and a step-by-step reduction of sanctions.

Another Saudi broadcaster Al Arabiya separately reported, citing an informed source, that the US had proposed halting the blockade and removing sanctions in return for the strait's reopening and a halt to attacks by Iran-aligned forces.

Some Western sources, citing the Pakistani envoy's critical tone, said Islamabad had explicitly blamed both Washington and Tehran for the current deadlock, faulting each for overreach and inflexibility.

Iranian officials used the meetings to restate Tehran's red lines including the lifting of all US sanctions. Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) secretary Mohsen Rezaei warned that continued economic warfare and blockade would not go unanswered and could put regional energy-export security at greater risk.

President Masoud Pezeshkian told Munir that a change in what he called Washington's threatening behaviour was the only way out of the impasse, signalling Tehran would not retreat under pressure.

"Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and I had a very positive and productive meeting with the President of Iran. Our discussion focused on the Iran US conflict, tensions in the Middle East and the way forward, as well as the steps needed by both sides for restoration of the Islamabad MoU thereby leading to comprehensive settlement of the conflict. The Iranian President candidly shared his Government’s perspective and concerns, and we had a very constructive exchange on the issues involved", he said, adding "Significant progress was made, and the meeting concluded on a highly positive note. We remain hopeful that this momentum will help pave the way for further progress and lasting peace in the region," Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who accompanied Munir to Tehran, said in a post on social media platform X (Twitter).

The significance of Munir's visit extends beyond bilateral ties, as any escalation at Hormuz would directly affect energy security and economic stability across the region, giving Islamabad a direct stake in averting a wider crisis. Pakistan's role as go-between has been a high-risk balancing act, complicated by a mutual defence pact with Tehran that could limit its room for manoeuvre.

Attention now turns to Iran's formal response, and to next week's Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, where Pezeshkian is expected to meet Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines; a meeting said could prove decisive for whether the region moves towards a fragile deal or a fresh confrontation over its energy chokepoints.