Pakistani field marshal heads to Tehran to try to seal U.S.-Iran deal

Pakistan's top military commander, Field Marshal Asim Munir, is traveling to Tehran on Friday in an effort to reach a deal under which the U.S. and https://www.axios.com/world/iran" target="_blank">Iran would agree to end the war and launch negotiations for a broader agreement, a Pakistani security source told Axios.

Why it matters: Munir has been the lead mediator between the U.S. and Iran since the war began.

The fact that he is heading to Tehran after several days of lower-level talks could signal a final push by Pakistan to try to get a deal.

Driving the news: The mediators are trying to finalize a https://www.axios.com/2026/05/20/trump-netanyahu-call-iran-peace-plan" target="_blank">letter of intent that includes an agreement to end the war and principles for another 30 days of negotiations on a broader deal that would also address Iran's nuclear program.

• Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey have all been involved in the mediation.
• It has remained unclear whether Iran would be willing to sign such a document at a time when some in Tehran appear to believe the leverage is on their side.

What they're saying: "There's been some slight progress.

I don't want to exaggerate it, but there's been a little bit of movement, and that's good," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday.

• He added that the fundamental demand is that "Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.

  It just cannot."

• Rubio said a deal would have to address Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium and enrichment policy going forward.
• He also said Iran must not be allowed to set up "tolls" in the Strait of Hormuz, after Iran reiterated its intention to establish such a system on Thursday.

Go deeper: https://www.axios.com/2026/05/20/trump-iran-war-powers-vote-house-golden-bacon" target="_blank">Trump bleeds votes in Congress to keep Iran war going