Iran FM to hold crucial talks in Islamabad today

The Iranian foreign minister arrived in Islamabad late Monday night for a two-day visit, which appears to have been hurriedly arranged to address the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

“Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi arrives in Pakistan today (Monday) on a two-day official visit. During his visit, he will hold meetings with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar,” read a statement issued here by the Foreign Office.

The statement said Foreign Minister Araghchi will hold consultations on the situation in the Middle East and Pakistan-Iran bilateral relations.
Sources said the visit is part of diplomatic outreach by Tehran to consult neighbours and regional countries over the ongoing simmering tensions between Iran and Israel.

Iran is contemplating a response to Israel’s October 28 strikes targeting the military bases, missile launch pads and other installations in the three provinces of Iran.
At least four Iranian soldiers were killed in those strikes, according to the Iranian authorities. Israel said the strikes were in response to the earlier attack launched by Iran against the Jewish state.

Iran has sent approximately 200 ballistic missiles to Israel in retaliation for the assassinations of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

The US and other Western allies of Israel asked Iran to show restraint and not to attack Israel further. However, Iran’s supreme leader on Saturday warned of a “teeth-breaking” response to the Israeli strikes.

It is believed that the Iranian top diplomat will hold consultations with Pakistan on how to respond to the Israeli attacks.
Pakistan condemned the Israeli strikes on Iran and urged the UNSC to hold the country accountable for its “recklessness and criminal behaviour”. While Pakistan denounced the Israeli attacks, it nevertheless sought de-escalation of tensions.

Pakistan fears that any further escalation could trigger a larger regional war.Meanwhile, the two sides would also discuss the bilateral issues including the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline.

“This visit provides an important opportunity to advance cooperation and dialogue between Pakistan and Iran on a wide range of areas including trade, economic, energy and security, the statement said.

Pakistan’s ambassador to Iran Muhammad Mudassir Tipu told IRNA, the Iranian official news agency, Foreign Minister Araghchi’s visit represents a significant development in the strong relations between the two neighbouring Muslim countries.

Given the current situation in the Middle East, Pakistani officials place great importance on engaging with their Iranian counterparts to exchange views on various bilateral and regional issues, he added.

He said that the two countries share aligned positions regarding conflicts in the Middle East, particularly concerning the expansion of Israel’s crimes, adding that they actively participate in various diplomatic efforts, including those within the United Nations Security Council and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.