- Araghchi and Thani discuss tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan in a phone call.
- Iran and Qatar urge regional states to support peace and stability.
- The ministers also review recent events in Gaza.
Iran and Qatar on Thursday expressed deep concern over the ongoing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, and urged countries in the region to play a constructive role in preserving peace and stability.
The development occurred during a telephone conversation between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, and the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Thani.
“The foreign ministers of Iran and Qatar, while expressing concern over tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, stressed the importance of continued good offices of regional countries to preserve peace and stability in the region,” read a statement issued by Iran’s foreign ministry.
Relations between Islamabad and the Taliban-led administration in Kabul have deteriorated further after Pakistan witnessed two major terrorist attacks in recent days: one against Cadet College Wana in South Waziristan and another in Islamabad.
Tuesday’s suicide attack took place in the Islamabad district court complex, killing 12 people and injuring at least 36 others. The victims included lawyers and petitioners who were present in the court building.
The explosion in Islamabad occurred on the same day that Pakistani forces cleared Cadet College Wana in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa tribal district of South Waziristan, killing all Fitna al-Khawarij (a term used to refer to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan) militants who had infiltrated the educational institution.
The statement further said that Araghchi and Thani also discussed and exchanged views on bilateral relations and regional developments.
The two sides emphasized the importance of continuing efforts to strengthen bilateral relations in all areas of mutual interest, he added.
They also discussed the latest developments in Gaza and the recent US draft resolution presented to the UN Security Council, underlining the need to continue consultations to prevent violations of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, particularly their right to self-determination.
Russia and Iran push to continue Pakistan-Afghanistan talks
On November 12, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi exchanged views on the latest bilateral and regional developments.
They welcomed the agreement reached between the Taliban administration in Kabul and Islamabad, mediated by Qatar and Turkiye, on a mutual ceasefire and an end to cross-border firing along the Pakistan-Afghanistan borders.
Lavrov and Araghchi called for continued dialogue between Pakistan and Afghanistan to resolve differences through political and diplomatic means to ensure regional stability and security.
They also discussed developments in the Middle East, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian issue and its consideration in the UN Security Council.
The two ministers reaffirmed their mutual commitment to the unconditional implementation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty between Russia and Iran, which entered into force on October 2.
