- Araghchi and Thani discuss Pak-Afghan tensions in a phone call.
- Iran and Qatar urge regional states to support peace and stability.
- Ministers also review recent developments in Gaza.
Iran and Qatar on Thursday expressed deep concern over ongoing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, calling on regional countries to play a constructive role in preserving peace and stability.
This development came during a telephone conversation between Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and Qatar Prime Minister and Foreign Minister 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 in preserving peace and stability in the region,” read a statement issued by the Iranian Foreign Ministry.
Relations between Islamabad and the Taliban-led administration in Kabul have further deteriorated after Pakistan witnessed two major terrorist attacks in recent days – one targeting the Wana Cadet College in South Waziristan and the other in Islamabad.
Tuesday’s suicide bombing hit Islamabad’s district court complex, killing 12 people and injuring at least 36 others. Among the victims were lawyers and petitioners present in court.
The Islamabad blast occurred on the same day that Pakistani forces cleared Cadet College Wana in South Waziristan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa tribal district, killing all Fitna al-Khawarij militants – a term used for the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan – 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.
Both sides stressed the importance of continuing efforts to strengthen bilateral relations in all areas of mutual interest, the statement added.
They also discussed the latest developments in Gaza and the recent US draft resolution submitted to the UN Security Council, emphasizing the need for continued consultations to prevent violations of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, in particular their right to self-determination.
Russia, Iran push for continuation of Pak-Afghan talks
On November 12, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei 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 Turkey – on a mutual ceasefire and an end to cross-border firing along the Pak-Afghan borders.
Lavrov and Araghchi called for continued dialogue between Pakistan and Afghanistan to resolve differences through political and diplomatic means, in the interest of ensuring regional stability and security.
They also discussed developments in the Middle East, particularly the Palestinian-Israeli 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.
