ISLAMABAD: Iran’s Foreign Minister is expected to travel to Pakistan this week as part of Tehran’s diplomatic outreach to consult regional players before responding to the Israeli strikes on Iranian defense installations last month.
On October 26, Israel attacked Iran in retaliation for Iran’s missile attack at the beginning of the month, which left four Iranian soldiers dead.
Iran had fired around 200 ballistic missiles at Israel in reaction to the Israeli killing of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and the assassination of Hizbullah chief Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut.
Apart from military operation in Gaza Strip and Lebanon, Tel Aviv has also been continuously targeting Iran-linked interests in Iraq and Syria.
Local media reports say that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, during his visit, will discuss the current Middle East crisis and seek Pakistan’s advice and support.
Pakistan was among the first countries to strongly condemn the Israeli strikes on Iran, with a statement from its foreign office calling the attack a violation of the Islamic Republic’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
According to media reports, both countries will also discuss bilateral issues, the situation in Afghanistan, and other matters during the visit of the Iranian foreign minister.
This will mark Araghchi’s first visit to Pakistan since he was appointed as his country’s top diplomat.
His visit comes at a time when Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned Israel and the United States of a severe response for attack on Iran.
It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had emphasised the urgent need for global action to address the humanitarian crisis in Palestine during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly’s 79th annual session in September.
Opening his speech with a recitation from the Holy Quran, he highlighted the ongoing atrocities in Gaza and the escalating conflict in Ukraine.
