Qureshi arrives in Iran amid Middle East tensions

MASHHAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi arrived in Mashhad on Sunday to help play a role in defusing tensions in the Middle East following threats of a military confrontation between Iran and the United States.

According to Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyyed Abbas Mousavi, Qureshi will hold talks with Iran’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif and other officials on the current situation in the region.

Qureshi’s visit comes amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington after the latter killed top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in an airstrike on January 3 and the subsequent missile attacks by Iran on US bases in Iraq.

The foreign minister will then travel to Riyadh where he will hold talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and consult on the issues of regional peace and stability.

During his visits, Qureshi will share Pakistan’s perspective on the current situation by stressing the imperative of avoiding any conflict. The foreign minister will convey Pakistan’s readiness to support all efforts that facilitate the resolution of differences and disputes through political and diplomatic means.

Qureshi will then travel to Washington on January 15 where he will meet senior officials of Donald Trump administration to discuss the Middle East crisis.

On Saturday, Qureshi said in a statement that Iran owning up to its mistake of downing Ukrainian passenger plane would likely ease up tensions in the region. “Iran’s confession of downing Ukrainian passenger plane should ease up tensions as the region can neither endure tension nor can it tolerate war anymore,” he said.

The foreign minister reiterated that Pakistan would play an active role to reduce growing tensions in the region.

Upon arrival in Mashhad Foreign Minister Qureshi was received by Governor Mashhad General Khurasan Razavi, following which he visited the shrine of Hazrat Imam Raza (AS) and made special prayers for the security of Pakistan and the unity and solidarity of the Muslim Ummah. Speaking on the occasion, Qureshi said it was an honor for him to begin his visit by visiting this holy site. He thanked Governor Mashhad for making best arrangements for three million Pakistani pilgrims who visit the place annually. The foreign minister is paying this visit on the special directives of Prime Minister Imran Khan.