Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed reports suggesting Tehran declined to participate in peace talks held in Islamabad, emphasizing that Iran never refused Pakistan’s invitation. He expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s role as a mediator in the ongoing regional conflict.
In a statement shared on X, Araghchi criticized U.S. media for misrepresenting Iran’s stance. He stated, “We are deeply thankful to Pakistan for its efforts and have never turned down the invitation to Islamabad. Our primary concern is establishing terms that ensure a definitive and lasting resolution to the illegal war imposed on us.” He also conveyed his respect for Pakistan by writing “Long Live Pakistan” in Urdu, acknowledging the country’s peace initiatives in the Middle East.
Araghchi further highlighted the dangers posed by repeated U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran’s Bushehr nuclear facility. Drawing a parallel with international reactions to the conflict near Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, he warned that radioactive fallout from attacks on Bushehr could threaten lives in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) capitals, not just Tehran. He added that assaults on Iran’s petrochemical infrastructure suggest wider strategic objectives beyond immediate military targets.
Last week, Pakistan hosted foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt for discussions aimed at easing tensions related to the Iran conflict. Islamabad is positioning itself as a potential venue for U.S.-Iran negotiations amid the month-long crisis. The four countries engaged in extensive talks over two days, covering various issues including efforts to de-escalate regional hostilities, though no significant breakthroughs were announced.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Tahir Andrabi firmly rejected false claims attributed to alleged official sources concerning Pakistan’s peace efforts and the regional conflict. Addressing media queries, Andrabi described such reports as baseless and purely imaginative.
He noted that several media and social media outlets had cited supposed official government sources inaccurately regarding Pakistan’s role in promoting peace and dialogue. The spokesperson clarified that any such attributions were incorrect and expressed concern over the misrepresentation of a recent briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which included references to issues that were neither discussed nor implied.
Given the sensitive nature of the regional situation, Andrabi stressed the importance of discretion and responsibility in diplomatic communications. He urged all media platforms to exercise caution, avoid speculation, and rely solely on official statements and media releases to ensure accurate and timely information dissemination.
