Islamabad (TDI): Pakistan has expressed its willingness to help reduce tensions between Iran and the United States, reaffirming its discreet but ongoing role in facilitating backchannel communication between the two adversaries.
The remarks came just before Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s scheduled state visit to Islamabad on Saturday, his first trip to Pakistan since taking office.
“Iran is not just a neighbor but a close friend. We remain committed to supporting diplomatic efforts and reducing tensions in the region,” said Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan during the weekly press briefing. “Pakistan is open to playing a constructive role, and we will continue doing so.”
The timing of the Iranian president’s visit is notable, with diplomatic sources indicating Islamabad has quietly been acting as an intermediary in indirect communication between Washington and Tehran, Dawn reported.
Read More: Iranian President Pezeshkian to Arrive in Pakistan on Saturday
US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce recently acknowledged this role, saying that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had conveyed appreciation to Pakistan for its support during his meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
Pezeshkian’s arrival could be reportedly viewed as an acknowledgment of Pakistan’s behind-the-scenes efforts to encourage dialogue and avoid further escalation. The Iranian leader is expected to meet President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and hold extensive delegation-level talks. He will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi and other senior officials.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Office also addressed concerns raised in a recent UN Security Council report that highlighted growing collaboration between militant outfits. Responding to questions, the FO spokesperson called the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) “proxies of India” whose primary aim is to destabilize Pakistan.
Read More: What’s Changing in Iran-Pakistan Ties After Pezeshkian?
“They operate with impunity from safe havens inside Afghanistan,” Khan said, noting that Pakistan has consistently raised these concerns with Kabul. He added that, recently, there has been some improvement in how the Afghan authorities are responding to Pakistan’s concerns.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
