Pakistan PM to Visit Tehran, Riyadh For Bridging Mediation

Islamabad, MINA – Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan is scheduled to travel to Iran and Saudi Arabia this month as part of Islamabad’s mediation efforts to ease tensions arising in the Middle East, a Pakistani Foreign Ministry official said.

An official confirmed to The Express Tribune on Wednesday (9/10) that Khan will visit Tehran and Riyadh in the coming days, but the date has not been determined.

The purpose of the visit is to mediate between the two countries, the official added.

Tensions have risen between Tehran and Riyadh since the drone attacks by Yemeni Houthis on September 14 against Saudi oil facilities.

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Although Yemeni Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility, both Saudi Arabia and the US blame Iran for the drone strike. An accusation Tehran has strongly denied.

Pakistan and several other countries have tried to mediate between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Prime Minister Khan himself acknowledged mediation efforts when he visited New York to attend the UN General Assembly session last month,

Khan said that US President Donald Trump also asked him to help ease tensions with Iran.

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Before leaving for New York, the Prime Minister also stopped in Riyadh where he held talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

On the sidelines of the UN session, Khan met Iranian President Hassan Rouhani as part of diplomatic efforts to defuse Middle Eastern tensions.

To follow up on the discussion, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi met his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif in New York.

Another official said that Pakistan remained in contact with Tehran and Riyadh to find a solution to their current crisis negotiations. (T/Ast/P2)

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Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)