Ishaq Dar meets Abbas Araghchi, stresses dialogue for regional peace

NEW YORK: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar on Thursday met Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The two foreign ministers discussed bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and international developments.

Ishaq Dar underscored the importance of dialogue, diplomacy and sustained engagement in promoting regional peace and stability.

Both sides agreed to remain in close contact and continue engagement on matters of mutual interest.

Earlier, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday reiterated that Pakistan remained committed to its role as mediator between Iran and the United States, saying Islamabad had not lost hope of achieving de-escalation between the two countries.

Speaking to reporters at the United Nations headquarters, the prime minister recalled the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, which was signed by him along with US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

“Pakistan is playing the role of a sincere and honest mediator between Iran, our neighbouring country, and the United States,” he said, adding that the memorandum had been signed by the three leaders.

Shehbaz acknowledged that developments following the signing of the agreement had taken an unpredictable turn, but affirmed that Pakistan remained fully focused on the matter.

“Pakistan is completely focused. We have not lost hope. We are absolutely determined that we will further make efforts and make progress to de-escalate the situation,” he said.

Meanwhile, an adviser to Iran’s supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned on Thursday that Tehran may expand the Middle East war to the Indian Ocean if the US attacks again.

Read Also: Iran threatens to expand war to Indian Ocean if US attacks again

“Since the conflict has spread from the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz to the Red Sea, it is possible that, in response to more war, the front will expand even further, reaching the Indian Ocean and perhaps beyond,” said Yahya Rahim Safavi in a video released by Iran’s Fars news agency.

Yemen’s Houthis, fighting Saudi-backed government forces, recently took control of the Red Sea coastline, tightening their grip on the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, which links Asia to Europe via the Suez Canal.

Iran denies any involvement in the Yemen conflict.

The Islamic republic has also locked down the Strait of Hormuz off the Iranian coast, in retaliation for US-Israeli strikes that triggered the Middle East war at the end of February.