WEB DESK: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met FBI Director Kash Patel in Washington on Monday to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation in counterterrorism, cyber investigations and law enforcement.

During the meeting at FBI headquarters, both sides reviewed measures to curb terrorist financing and enhance coordination in cyber investigations, including the provision of necessary technical resources.

FBI Director Kash Patel underscored the importance of further strengthening cooperation between Pakistan and the United States in security and law enforcement, reaffirming the commitment to closer collaboration in tackling shared security challenges.

Meanwhile, regional security developments remained in focus amid rising tensions in the Gulf.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) released footage claiming that three unmanned surface vessels targeted Iranian naval facilities at Bandar Abbas, saying the operation had reduced Iran’s capability to conduct attacks using naval assets.

Responding to the developments, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran has always been, and would continue to remain, the guardian of the Strait of Hormuz.

He said commercial vessels using the strategic waterway for safe passage should pay a transit fee, adding that a proposed 20 per cent charge was excessive and that Tehran would instead impose a reasonable fee.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes and continues to be a focal point of regional security tensions.