Pakistan says it is working for lasting US-Iran peace despite escalation

Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi also said the tension in the Gulf region was worrisome and hoped that the parties would adhere to the ceasefire understanding.

“The situation obviously is fragile, particularly after the recent spate of armed exchanges, but we remain engaged. Our channels of communication with the relevant parties are open,” he said at the weekly press briefing here.

“We are working with a sense of optimism that ought to be there in a mediator or a facilitator. We should not be discouraged by emerging issues, which threaten the dialogue process,” he added.

His comments came amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran.

Kuwait and Bahrain have accused Iran of carrying out strikes on their territories this week that resulted in casualties and material damage.

Andrabi condemned the attacks that targeted Kuwait and Bahrain.

“Pakistan urges exercising maximum restraint, avoiding further escalation, refraining from any action that undermines the safety and well-being of civilians, protecting civilian infrastructure, and pursuing dialogue and diplomacy,” he said.

He urged support for ongoing efforts for regional peace and security, saying that Pakistan was committed to working with regional partners in support of peace, security, and stability of the Gulf region, and the negotiation process between Iran and the US.

The spokesperson also welcomed US President Donald Trump’s statement that an agreement could be reached with Iran.

“So, we will endorse the optimism expressed by the US President. We hope an agreement is reached, hopefully sooner, this weekend, as stated by the US President. This is a positive spirit with which the interlocutors and the facilitator should work. This is in sync with what I said earlier, that we should not be discouraged by the obstacles that come in our way,” he said.

Replying to a question about hosting talks in Islamabad, he said that Pakistan’s position is quite clear that it is willing to host.

“If you recall, there was some momentum generated last month, and we had expressed our willingness. So, if a fresh momentum is injected towards this process, we are ready to host the dialogue. We would like an agreement to be reached sooner rather than later,” he said.

He said that Pakistan’s position on the Abraham Accords remains consistent and its benchmark is the establishment of a viable, contiguous State of Palestine, with Jerusalem as its capital, within the agreed pre-1967 borders.

“Therefore, our position on this issue is closely linked to the establishment of a viable Palestinian state. Our position remains unchanged,” he said.

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