City
Epaper

Imran to visit Tehran, Riyadh in mediation attempt

By IANS | Updated: October 10, 2019 10:00 IST

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is expected to travel to Iran and Saudi Arabia this month as part of Islamabad's efforts to defuse brewing tensions in the Middle East, a Foreign Office official said here.

Open in App

A official confirmed to The Express Tribune on Wednesday that Khan will visit Tehran and Riyadh in coming days, but the dates were yet to be finalised.

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

Tensions have been brewing between Tehran and Riyadh since the September 14 drone attacks on a Saudi oil facility and a processing plant.

Although the Yemeni Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility, both Saudi Arabia and the US have blamed Iran for the drone strikes - a charge Tehran has strongly rebutted.

But Pakistan and certain other countries have been trying to mediate between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Prime Minister Khan himself acknowledged the mediation efforts when he visited New York to attend the UN General Assembly session (UNGA) last month, The Express Tribune reported.

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

Before departing to New York, Prime Minister also made a stopover in Riyadh where he held talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

On the sidelines of the UNGA session, Khan met Iranian President Hassan Rouhani as part of the diplomatic push to defuse the Middle East tensions. To follow up the discussions, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi thrice met his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif in New York.

Another official told The Express Tribune that Pakistan remained in contact with both Tehran and Riyadh to find a negotiated settlement of their current crises.

Against this backdrop, the Prime Minister would now visit Tehran and Riyadh.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: tehraniranRiyadhNew York
Open in App

Related Stories

InternationalIran Blast: Over 400 Injured After Container Explosion at Bandar Abbas Port; Horrific Video Surfaces Online

InternationalNew York Helicopter Crash Video: 6 Killed as Chopper Plunges Into Hudson River in Manhattan

LifestyleHappy Nowruz 2025: Share Wishes, WhatsApp Messages and Quotes to Family and Friends on Parsi New Year

MumbaiAir India Flight to New York Returns to Mumbai After Mid-Air Threat

InternationalNew York Fire Station Collapses Under Heavy Snow; Firefighters on Roof Narrowly Escape ( Watch)

International Realted Stories

InternationalSenior Hamas delegation arrives in Cairo to hold talks with Egyptian officials for ceasefire agreement

InternationalEgypt FM expresses solidarity with J-K attack victims

InternationalIran President condemns Pahalgam terror attack, conveys condolences to victims

InternationalUAE President conveys condolences to PM Modi over Pahalgam terror attack

InternationalPresident Murmu attends funeral of Pope Francis in Vatican City