ISLAMABAD, (NNI): Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Monday arrived here on a two-day official visit to hold consultations with Pakistan’s leadership on the situation in the Middle East and bilateral relations.
During his visit, Foreign Minister Araghchi will hold meetings with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, according to a Foreign Office press release.
This visit provides an important opportunity to advance cooperation and dialogue between Pakistan and Iran on a wide range of areas including trade, energy and security.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said that Iran seeks stability and peace in the region, while the Zionist regime aims to escalate crisis and conflict.
Speaking at a cabinet meeting in Tehran, Pezeshkian stated, “All regional countries are now convinced that the Islamic Republic of Iran is committed to establishing peace and stability, whereas the Zionist regime is focused on intensifying crises and war.”
He emphasized, “We have never initiated war, nor have we urged any country to engage in conflict. It is the United States that has repeatedly ignited wars worldwide, including in our region.”
Iran’s president referred to the Zionist regime’s “criminal and aggressive actions” designed to incite violence and bloodshed across the region, criticizing what he called the hypocritical stances of the US and European nations regarding the self-made crises in the Middle East. “If these countries genuinely oppose war and bloodshed, then why do they veto proposed ceasefire resolutions?” he questioned.
President Pezeshkian stressed that Iran would respond decisively to any breach of its sovereignty or security.
Addressing Zionist officials directly, he warned, “They know well that any miscalculation against the Islamic Republic of Iran will be met with a crushing response.”
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei on Monday criticised what he called the United States’ “destabilising presence” after the deployment of B-52 bombers in the region.
“We have always believed that the presence of America in the region is a destabilising presence,” said Baghaei told a news conference in response to a question about the deployment, adding that it “will not deter (Iran’s) resolve to defend itself”.
The US military announced on Saturday the deployment of B-52 bombers to the Middle East as a warning to Iran which has vowed to respond to Israeli strikes on its military sites on October 26.
Israel’s attack was in retaliation for an October 1 Iranian missile barrage, itself retaliation for the killing of Iran-backed militant leaders and a Revolutionary Guards commander.
At least four soldiers were killed in the strikes which also caused “limited damage” to a few radar systems, officials said at the time. Iranian media also reported that a civilian was killed.
Baghaei said Iran’s response would be “definite and decisive”.
He added that Iran supported “all initiatives and efforts” to push for a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, where Israel is at war with the Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah armed groups, respectively.
Israel said its October 26 attack targeted Iran’s defence capabilities and missile production, but Tehran said its missile production remained intact.
On Monday, President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran had missiles so Israel “wouldn’t dare attack us”.
During the news conference, Baghaei said Iran’s official position against changing the nuclear doctrine and pursuing atomic weapons remained the same.
Citing a recent speech by Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Baghaei said the Islamic republic would be “equipped with everything necessary to defend” itself. NNI
