Pakistan to join Iran-US talks on de-escalating regional tensions, FO confirms
Pakistani policemen stand guard outside the Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry building on the arrival of Indian diplomats to meet with an Indian spy Commander Kulbhushan Jadhav, a serving Indian naval officer and RAW operative, in Islamabad on September 2, 2019. – Pakistan said it would grant consular access to an alleged Indian spy on death row on September 2, weeks after the International Court of Justice called for a review of his sentence in a case that has stoked tensions between the nuclear-armed rivals. (Photo by AAMIR QURESHI / AFP) (Photo credit should read AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images
ISLAMABAD – Pakistan will participate in upcoming Iran-US talks in Istanbul, aimed at easing tensions between Tehran and Washington, the Foreign Office confirmed on Tuesday.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will represent at the talks. The discussions, scheduled to reach their main session on Friday, will also include regional powers such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates.
A regional official told Reuters that the priority of the talks is to avoid any conflict and de-escalate rising tensions. While the format of the meetings remains unclear, officials emphasised the importance of dialogue to prevent further escalation. The talks come amid heightened regional concerns, including the recent deployment of a US aircraft carrier group to the Middle East following anti-government protests in Iran
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian confirmed on Tuesday that he had authorised his Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, to engage in nuclear negotiations with the United States, provided the discussions occur in an environment “free from threats and unreasonable expectations.” He added that the talks would proceed “within the framework of our national interests.”
