Iranian Foreign Minister Arrives in Islamabad Amid Regional Tensions

ISLAMABAD: Abbas Araqchi, the Foreign Minister of Iran, landed in Islamabad on Monday for a brief visit to engage with prominent leaders, according to official sources. This visit occurs amidst heightened tensions with neighboring India following a recent attack on tourists in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

India has alleged Pakistan’s involvement in the aforementioned deadly attack, a claim that Islamabad has refuted. Instead, Islamabad asserts possessing “credible intelligence” suggesting India’s intent to initiate military action, thereby escalating the potential for conflict between the two nuclear powers.

Reza Amiri Mogadam, the Iranian ambassador, communicated to state media that the Pakistan-India situation would be addressed during the visit.

Iran’s Role as a Mediator

“Considering Iran’s strong ties with both Pakistan and India, exploring avenues to de-escalate tensions in the subcontinent will be among the key objectives during Araqchi’s discussions,” he stated.

Araqchi’s itinerary includes a visit to Delhi later in the week. It remains uncertain whether these visits were scheduled prior to the recent surge in tensions.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office released a statement indicating that, “The two sides will also exchange views on regional and global developments.”

Immediate responses from India’s foreign ministry were not received. India has previously dismissed third-party intervention regarding Kashmir-related matters.

Since the attack, Islamabad has engaged with numerous capitals to address the situation, most recently through a phone conversation between Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov.

According to a statement released on Sunday by the Foreign Office, “Lavrov conveyed his apprehension about the situation and emphasized the significance of diplomacy in resolving issues,” urging restraint from both parties and advocating for de-escalation.

Islamabad has also requested its United Nations envoy to seek a UN Security Council meeting to brief the council on what it describes as India’s “aggressive actions” that jeopardize peace and security.