International

Dar, Iranian foreign minister discuss bilateral ties, regional situation

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi discussed bilateral ties and regional developments during a meeting in Bishkek. Dar stressed the importance of dialogue and called for sincere implementation of the Islamabad MoU to promote peace and stability.

Sadia Basharat

Senior Digital Producer1 September 20262 min read

Dar, Iranian foreign minister discuss bilateral ties, regional situationPhoto: QOM

Islamabad: Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi in Bishkek on Monday ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State meeting, Pakistan’s Foreign Office said.

The meeting focused on bilateral relations and developments in the region, with the two foreign ministers stressing the need for continued engagement between Pakistan and Iran.

According to the Foreign Office, Dar said dialogue and diplomacy remained essential to promoting peace and stability in the region.

The two sides also discussed the implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with Dar stressing that sincere implementation by both parties to the conflict remained the only way forward.

The meeting comes as tensions and diplomatic efforts continue to shape the regional situation. Pakistan has repeatedly called for dialogue to resolve disputes and prevent further escalation in the region.

Dar’s meeting with Araghchi took place on the sidelines of the SCO summit, where leaders and senior officials from member states are gathering to discuss regional and international issues.

Pakistan and Iran share close geographical, economic and cultural ties, while developments in the region have often had a direct impact on both countries. Islamabad has maintained that engagement with neighbouring countries is important for regional peace and stability.

Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran would immediately reciprocate if the United States returned to its commitments under an interim agreement signed in June, according to Iran’s ISNA news agency, cited by Reuters.

Speaking at the SCO summit in Bishkek, Pezeshkian said Iran was prepared to respond if Washington honoured its commitments under the agreement.

His remarks come as diplomatic efforts continue over Iran’s relations with the US and wider regional tensions.The developments underline the importance of diplomacy as Pakistan engages with both Iran and other regional partners.

Dar’s meeting with Araghchi also comes at a time when Pakistan is seeking to support diplomatic efforts aimed at preventing further conflict and encouraging the parties involved to honour existing understandings.