Islamabad: Pakistan called for continued diplomacy as Iran rejected US pressure but reaffirmed its willingness to negotiate, keeping open a conditional proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar discussed regional developments with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi by telephone on Sunday, October 18.
According to the Foreign Office, Dar emphasised dialogue and diplomacy in addressing regional challenges. The ministers also discussed the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Baghdad and agreed to remain in close contact.
Speaking at the Baghdad meeting, Araghchi said Iran would not surrender its sovereign rights to coercion or intimidation. However, he said Tehran remained open to dialogue based on mutual respect and credible guarantees.
He separately told reporters that Iran’s seven day proposal concerning the Strait of Hormuz remained under consideration. Washington had provided comments, which Tehran was reviewing.
Iran’s conditions include lifting the US blockade on its ports, removing sanctions on Iranian oil exports and ending hostilities across regional fronts. Araghchi said acceptance of those conditions could allow the strait to reopen within six days, followed by talks the next day.
Dar also spoke with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty. Both condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and reaffirmed support for the kingdom’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and security.
They discussed cooperation through the Regional Four framework, comprising Pakistan, Egypt, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia, and looked ahead to its next meeting.
Meanwhile, Iran’s newly appointed Defence Minister Mehrdad Akhlaghi warned that renewed US military action would inflict severe damage on Washington and its regional allies.
Speaking after securing parliament’s confidence, he said Iran believed another attack was unlikely but warned of consequences if hostilities resumed.
