Iran Crisis Locks Down Islamabad Again, This Time Over Pezeshkian Visit

Last Updated:June 23, 2026, 11:48 IST

Iran's President Pezeshkian is set to visit Pakistan on Tuesday, June 23, to discuss ongoing engagements and regional developments with the country's leadership

Ahead of Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian’s scheduled visit to Pakistan, authorities in Islamabad imposed extensive security measures, including the closure of bus terminals and curbs around the Red Zone.

Pezeshkian is set to visit Pakistan on Tuesday, June 23, to discuss ongoing engagements and regional developments with the country’s leadership.

All bus terminals operating in the capital city were closed Monday night in accordance with directions from the Islamabad administration, according to a report by The Dawn. 

Police reached out to the management of bus terminals in the city, urging them to shut down operations before midnight. They were further asked to keep their operations suspended on Tuesday, June 23.

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Red Zone To Be Sealed

To strengthen security ahead of the Iranian President’s arrival, the Islamabad Red Zone will be kept sealed, with entry allowed only to concerned officials, The Dawn reported.

Security arrangements are being tightened along the route of the Iranian President from the airport to the Red Zone, where over a thousand police personnel –– along with paramilitary troops –– have been stationed.

Police are also examining details of guests staying at hotels and guesthouses inside the Red Zone and nearby regions.

According to The Dawn, citing officials, operations of public transport, including e-buses and metro buses, are likely to remain suspended inside the High Security Zone.

In Islamabad, the Red Zone is a heavily secured administrative district that houses the country’s most important government, diplomatic, and military facilities.

Islamabad Locked Down (Once Again)?

Back in April, Islamabad was thrown into a near-lockdown situation as Pakistan geared up to host delegates from both Iran and the United States after having offered to mediate negotiations to end the war in West Asia.

Streets of the Pakistani capital were vacated, shops were closed, and public transport was suspended. Moreover, officials and office workers were asked to work from home as Islamabad attempted to portray itself as a relevant diplomatic player in a bid to end the war between Iran, and the U.S.-Israel alliance.

The war in West Asia began after the U.S. and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran on February 28, killing the country’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Tehran retaliated by launching strikes to target U.S.-linked facilities across the Gulf and subsequently closing the vital Strait of Hormuz, which accounts for nearly one-fifth of the global oil and gas trade.

News world Iran Crisis Locks Down Islamabad Again, This Time Over Pezeshkian Visit

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