Pakistan Army Chief, Iran Foreign Minister Araghchi discuss West Asia conflict: Iranian media
Tehran, May 23
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir, with the two sides exchanging views on the security situation in West Asia.
The talks, which continued late into Friday night, included discussions on the ongoing Iran conflict, reported Tasnim News Agency.
According to the report, both sides also discussed the latest diplomatic efforts and initiatives aimed at preventing further escalation of tensions in the region. The discussion additionally focused on issues related to stability and security across West Asia.
As diplomatic engagement continues amid heightened tensions, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that Washington's "excessive demands" remain the primary obstacle to ongoing peace negotiations, Al Jazeera reported.
Araghchi, during a telephonic conversation with Guterres, reportedly said that the United States had repeatedly undermined diplomacy through broken promises, contradictory positions and military aggression, while reiterating that Iran remains engaged in truce talks.
Guterres rejected the use of force against any state's sovereignty and called for diplomacy to restore stability in the region, according to Al Jazeera's sources.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump's administration on Friday (local time) was preparing for a fresh round of military strikes against Iran, sources with direct knowledge of the planning told CBS News. No final decision on strikes had been reached, the sources further added.
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei highlighted what he described as fundamental disagreements between the two sides and reiterated Iran's position on the 14-point plan previously submitted to the United States.
"The reason we don't talk about the details of nuclear-related discussions is clear. We have done this twice, and the other party's greed led us into war. We cannot ignore this experience," said Baghaei, as quoted by Al Jazeera.
"Regarding nuclear issues, the matter is very clear - we are a member of the NPT [Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty] and we have the right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes," he added.
As the situation continues to evolve in the region, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier stated that he engaged in consultations with NATO allies regarding potential contingencies associated with restoring navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Addressing journalists at the ministerial summit in Helsingborg, Sweden, Rubio emphasised the necessity of operational readiness, remarking, "We have to have a plan B for if someone is shooting" in the critical maritime choke point.
"At some point, ideally, they open the strait," Rubio observed in reference to Iran, before cautioning, "Plan B needs to be, what if Iran says, 'No, we refuse to open the Strait?'"
— ANI
Reader Comments
The US threatening more strikes while also demanding Iran open the Strait of Hormuz is just classic double standards. India imports a lot of oil through that strait, so obviously we want it open and safe. But can the West really lecture others about aggression when they keep bombing countries? 😤
Iran's point about the US breaking promises and showing "greed" in negotiations is actually valid when you look at history. They walked out of the JCPOA unilaterally in 2018 and then imposed maximum pressure. Now they want Iran to just cave in? Diplomacy should be genuine, not just a way to force your terms on others. India has always advocated for dialogue.
Iran keeps saying they have rights under NPT for peaceful nuclear energy, but that's exactly what every nation says before developing weapons. India is a responsible nuclear power with a credible deterrent, so we understand both sides. But the real issue here is that Pakistan's army chief is cozying up to Iran while China watches. This could impact our strategic calculations in the region.
Wait, so Pakistan's army chief is discussing West Asia security with Iran? 🤡 That's rich coming from a country that has been a safe haven for terrorists destabilizing the entire region. India has always supported stability and peace in West Asia because our 9 million diaspora lives there. Meanwhile, Pakistan plays games.
At this point, everyone is just posturing for their own interests. The US wants to control oil routes, Iran wants to survive sanctions, Pakistan wants relevance, and India just wants peace so our people in the Gulf are safe and oil keeps
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.