Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has reiterated Islamabad’s efforts to deescalate tensions in the Gulf region to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.
“We are committed to exercising every diplomatic effort to achieve regional security and are clear Pakistan soil will not be used for war,” Qureshi said.
Constructive & positive meeting with H.E President @hassanrouhani. Reiterated effort to deescalate tensions to the President which he supports. We are committed to exercising every diplomatic effort to achieve regional security & are clear Pakistan soil will not be used for war. pic.twitter.com/UOSfAgiWhY
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) January 13, 2020
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani told Qureshi that Tehran was ready to closely cooperate with all countries in the region to deescalate the situation, according to the Iranian president's press service.
Pakistan foreign minister appreciated the restraint shown by Tehran and said the region could not afford any more tension or confrontation.
During the meeting, which focused on US-Iran tension, regional peace and the multifaceted Pak-Iran ties, Qureshi said both the countries enjoyed "a deep, historic, religious and cultural brotherhood".
Appreciating Qureshi's remarks, Rouhani was quoted as saying in a statement “we completely welcome Pakistan's efforts for promoting regional peace and stability in this regard”.
Qureshi will also visit Riyadh on Monday to hold talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and consult on the issues of regional peace and stability.
Earlier also, taking note of the US-Iran situation, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed concern, saying there is a need to take immediate measures to de-escalate tensions.
Last week, Iran started a revenge operation in response to Washington’s assassination of Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani. According to the Iraqi military, about 22 missiles struck the country, with 17 of them hitting the US Ain Al Asad airbase and five striking the Iraqi city of Erbil, targeting the US-led coalition headquarters.
