ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday condemned Iran’s drone and missile attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain, saying recent escalations of hostilities in the region were obstructing a peaceful settlement of the US-Iran conflict.
Kuwait said a day earlier that Iranian attacks on its territory killed one person and wounded dozens of others, forcing it to close its airport and suspend flights after the building suffered “significant material damage.”
Tehran also claimed responsibility for the fresh attacks in Kuwait and Bahrain, including the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet.
“Pakistan condemns this drone and missile attack that targeted the state of Kuwait and the Kingdom of Bahrain,” foreign office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said in his weekly news conference. “You would recall that we had condemned the recent attacks, for example, on the UAE nuclear facilities and before that in Saudi Arabia.”
He said Islamabad firmly supports the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of all states in the region.
“We condemn attacks on all sides,” he continued. “You see, such hostilities shrink space for dialogue and diplomacy. So any armed attack, any hostility which shrinks the dialogue space is indeed condemned.”
Andrabi hoped all parties would adhere to the ceasefire understanding in the region arrived at in April, saying recent escalations “are definitely major obstacles toward reaching a settlement.”
He also maintained Pakistan welcomes the positive role played by the United States in facilitating the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel.
“Just a few hours ago, I read reports that Israel and Lebanon agreed to implement a ceasefire to end hostilities through the good offices of the United States,” he said. “This is a welcome development. Pakistan appreciates the continued engagement of the US in this regard.”
Asked about reports that Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar shared some intelligence on Iran’s nuclear program in his recent meeting with US Secretary of State Mark Rubio, Andrabi called them “baseless.”
“We categorically and unequivocally reject the assertion that the deputy prime minister and foreign minister shared any intelligence regarding Iran with the US secretary of state,” he said.
“Such claims are entirely baseless, speculative, and appear to be aimed at undermining ongoing diplomatic efforts and the broader process of dialogue and engagement.”
Andrabi said during the meeting between Dar and Rubio on May 29, a comprehensive exchange of views took place on various aspects of the situation in the Middle East and development in the Gulf region.
“The discussion focused on regional peace, stability, and the importance of pursuing diplomatic solutions to ongoing challenges,” he added. “So, no intel was shared in the course of this dialogue.”
