Islamabad : All eyes were on Pakistan as Iranian leaders and a US delegation, led by Vice President JD Vance, arrived in Islamabad for make-or-break talks after both sides secured a fragile two-week ceasefire. What drew particular attention was Munir’s wardrobe switch. While receiving the 71-member Iranian delegation, which was led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Munir was seen in combat gear (known as Camouflage Combat Dress).
An army officer always has to be in uniform while receiving foreign leaders. Asim Munir is aiming to show that he is a diplomat with the Americans and a soldier with Iran. That is the messaging. This is unbecoming of the conduct of a senior army general,” Major General Sanjay Meston (retired). Munir’s choice of a black suit while receiving the US Vice President reflects his effort to portray himself as more statesmanlike.
Defence expert Sandeep Unnithan underlined that Munir’s choice of combat uniform while meeting the Iranians was to send a deliberate message. He pointed towards recent tensions between Iran and Pakistan, including missile exchanges and border flare-ups. Munir did not wear the ceremonial army uniform, but the combat dress. It is to show some kind of strength vis–vis Iran that he is going there as a military leader,” Unnithan told IndiaToday.in.
While Iran and Pakistan have had historically close ties, with geography being a major factor, it had come under strain recently. Iran launched drones and missiles at Pakistan’s Balochistan province, targeting Jaish al-Adl, an armed group that Tehran has accused of multiple attacks in the past. The group seeks the independence of Sistan province in Iran. In 2024, Iran launched drones and missiles at Pakistan’s Balochistan province, targeting Jaish al-Adl, an armed group that Tehran has accused of multiple attacks in the past.
For the US, Munir, wearing a suit, projected himself as a diplomat and not just a military leader who would salute and stand aside. “This clearly shows that Munir has political ambitions,” Unnithan said. Notably, there was also a third message Munir sought to convey to the world and to Pakistanis back home. That he sits firmly at the centre of power. Unnithan said that for a Pakistan army chief to go and receive high-ranking officials like the Iranian foreign minister or the US Vice President was unusual.
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