Pakistani Army Spokesperson: Islamabad appreciates Iran’s peaceful diplomacy.
The extremely tense situation in the subcontinent following a terrorist incident that occurred three weeks ago in the Pahalgam region of Indian-controlled Kashmir has once again raised serious concerns about a full-scale confrontation between Pakistan and India, the two nuclear neighbors in the region.
The Islamic Republic of Iran was among the first countries to follow with concern the developments between New Delhi and Islamabad after the incident in Pahalgam on May 2. Dr. Seyyed Abbas Araghchi had a telephone conversation with his Pakistani counterpart and announced Tehran’s readiness to help de-escalate tensions in South Asia. In this regard, the head of the Iranian diplomatic service made an important visit to Islamabad on May 5 and met with high-ranking political and military officials of Pakistan.
Our country’s Foreign Minister paid an official visit to India three days later and, in addition to bilateral consultations, pursued solutions to help de-escalate tensions in the subcontinent.
Dr. Masoud Pezzekian, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, also held a separate telephone conversation with the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan, urging them to resolve the tensions through restraint and peaceful interaction.
However, the situation between the two neighbors led to a military clash. India launched an operation on Pakistani soil (morning of May 7), which New Delhi claimed was against terrorist sanctuaries. Pakistan responded to the attack and claims to have shot down six Indian fighter jets.
India’s second missile attack on parts of Pakistan also took place on the morning of Saturday, May 10, hours after the Pakistani army announced the implementation of a military operation called “Bunyan Marsus” on Indian soil. The two neighboring countries agreed to a ceasefire that evening.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said in Islamabad last night (Friday) that India and Pakistan should peacefully address all issues between them, including the Kashmir dispute, as neighbors.
This comes after the ceasefire between the two countries was established on May 10, the military operations commanders of the Pakistani and Indian armies spoke to each other three times by phone, and their fourth call is scheduled to be made tomorrow (Sunday).