Iran FM in Pakistan for High-Level Talks

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has left Tehran for Islamabad to hold talks with high-ranking Pakistani officials.

The Iranian top diplomat’s trip comes as the new Pakistani premier Imran Khan has announced his plan to visit Iran as his first foreign destination in coming weeks. He is going to visit Saudi Arabia next.

The new Pakistani government has announced willingness to help improve ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia several times so far.

Speaking in a press conference in Islamabad on Tuesday, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Pakistan would work to maintain balanced relations with both Tehran and Riyadh.

“For us, both Iran and Saudi Arabia are very important countries and we would like to have relations with both the countries based on mutual respect,” IRNA quoted him as saying.

“If there is a chance for mediation between the two countries, we will play a role,” he noted.

Qureshi also said he is pleased to meet his Iranian counterpart during his trip to Islamabad.

He said that Iran is a neighbour and good friend of Pakistan, like other Muslim countries in the Persian Gulf such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Qureshi said Pakistan is willing to promote calm in common borders.

“Creating peace and security in borders with Iran is in line with Pakistan’s interests,” he said.

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