FM Dar, Araghchi express concern over evolving regional situation as Middle East conflict grinds on
Both leaders expressed concern over the tense evolving situation in the region, agreed to remain in touch. PHOTO: EXPRESS TRIBUNE/IRNA
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his Iranian counterpart expressed concern over the evolving situation in the region on Friday as the conflict in the Middle East drags on.
Tensions in the Middle East escalated sharply after US and Israeli air strikes last week assassinated Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior officials, triggering a wave of retaliation from Tehran and widening the conflict across the region. In response to the strikes, Iran launched retaliatory attacks on US military bases in several Gulf countries, significantly expanding the scope of the confrontation.
Pakistan's leadership has since ramped up its diplomatic efforts to play its part in managing the tensions, particularly between Iran and the Gulf states.
In a post on X today, the Foreign Office said the deputy prime minister spoke with Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi.
"The DPM/FM expressed concern over the evolving regional situation. The two agreed to remain in touch on the development."
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 spoke this evening with the Foreign Minister of Iran, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi @Araghchi.
The DPM/FM expressed concern over the evolving regional situation. The two agreed to remain in touch on the… pic.twitter.com/xG2cwWGXjGDar previously said Pakistan was actively working to promote de-escalation between the US and Iran through diplomatic engagement and backchannel contacts, while expressing concern over what he described as a “sudden” coordinated attack by the US and Israel on Iran.
Read More: Dar reminds Iran of Pak-Saudi defence pact
Addressing the Senate on Tuesday, FM Dar said Pakistan had been in contact with counterparts from several countries over the past three days in an effort to persuade the parties to return to dialogue. “Through dialogue, a path of understanding can emerge,” he told lawmakers.
He said Pakistan had issued its first reaction to the situation on February 28 and immediately condemned the attack on Iran, describing Tehran as a neighbouring and brotherly Muslim country.
Dar noted that diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran had been moving in a “positive direction” before the escalation. He referred to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent visit to Austria, where Pakistani officials met Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency. “He was optimistic that dialogue was heading in a positive direction,” he added.