ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has stressed the importance of resolving issues through dialogue in a conversation with Iran’s foreign minister, the foreign office said on Sunday, as Iranian military mocked US President Donald Trump’s fresh ultimatum to make a deal to end the war.
Pakistan has been relaying messages between Tehran and Washington in efforts to broker a ceasefire between the warring sides.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Saturday that Tehran was “deeply grateful” to Pakistan for the efforts. He, however, clarified Tehran cared for a “conclusive and lasting” end to the war.
Dar, who is also Pakistan’s foreign minister, spoke to Araghchi on the telephone hours after Trump said on Saturday that Iran had 48 hours left to make a deal on opening the vital Strait of Hormuz or face “hell.”
“DPM/FM reiterated Pakistan’s support for all efforts aimed at de-escalation and underscored the importance of resolving issues through dialogue and diplomacy,” the Pakistani foreign office said.
The statement said both officials agreed to maintain close contact in view of the ongoing regional developments.
Iran’s central military command mocked Trump’s ultimatum on Saturday, with General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi saying Trump’s threat was a “helpless, nervous, unbalanced and stupid action.”
The American president later posted a video on social media showing explosions lighting up a night sky, claiming many of Iran’s military leaders have been “terminated” in strikes on Tehran.
Iran launched missiles and drones at Israel and Kuwait early Sunday, with Tel Aviv and Kuwait City saying their air defenses were responding to the attacks.
The Middle East war has intensified in recent days, with Tehran saying on Friday it had shot down an F-15 warplane and US media reported US special forces had rescued one of its two crew members, with the other still missing.
Iran’s military also said it had downed a US A-10 ground attack aircraft in the Gulf, with US media saying the pilot of that plane was rescued.
The war, which began on Feb. 28 with the US and Israel launching surprise strikes against Iran, has spread conflict throughout the Middle East and convulsed the global economy.
Iran’s forces maintain a tight grip on the Strait of Hormuz shipping lane — a vital conduit for oil and gas — and strike economic targets in Gulf countries Iran claims are linked to the US-Israeli war effort.
