Iranian scientist Massoud Soleimani and US researcher Xiyue Wang were released from detention after Swiss mediation. PHOTO: FILE
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi discussed Iran and Afghanistan's peace process Friday with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, five days after seeing Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.
Qureshi relays message of ‘restraint’ to Tehran and Riyadh
While stopping short of saying that he was transmitting any message, Qureshi said he understood that the Iranians "did not want to escalate things."
"They don't want war, they don't want further bloodshed," Qureshi told reporters in Washington.
The United States on January 3 killed Iran's most powerful general, Qasem Soleimani, in a drone strike as he visited Baghdad.
Iran responded with missile strikes on US forces in Iraq but Qureshi, in line with many observers, believe that the reprisal was designed to minimise casualties.
Pakistan has strong relations with Saudi Arabia and according to the FM, the Iranian leadership also signalled a willingness to ease tensions with its Arab neighbours.
The Iranians "highlighted the issues, the differences, they have had with other important countries in the region," he said.
"They said they are willing to engage at any level and in any format," Qureshi said.
US President Donald Trump, who is closely allied with Saudi Arabia, in 2018 withdrew from a nuclear accord with Iran and imposed sweeping sanctions aimed at reducing Tehran's regional clout.
US representative on Iran: Tehran's threats will isolate it more
US officials blamed Iran for a September attack on Saudi oil installations, although the Middle Eastern powers since then have engaged in cautious diplomacy to ease friction.
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