Dar, Kuwaiti FM express deep concern over regional tensions

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar continued his diplomatic engagements over the Middle East crisis on Wednesday with the foreign ministers of Kuwait and Bangladesh as part of Pakistan’s efforts to tone down hostilities.

Tensions in the Middle East escalated sharply after US and Israeli air strikes last week assassinated Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior officials, triggering a wave of retaliation from Tehran and widening the conflict across the region. In response to the strikes, Iran launched retaliatory attacks on US military bases in several Gulf countries, significantly expanding the scope of the confrontation.

Pakistan’s leadership has since ramped up its diplomatic efforts to play its part in managing the tensions, particularly between Iran and the Gulf states.

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The Foreign Office (FO) said on X that FM Dar had a telephonic conversation with Kuwait FM Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad and conveyed Pakistan’s solidarity with the leadership and people of the kingdom over the attacks.

He emphasised the urgent need for dialogue and de-escalation to promote peace and stability in the region.

The two sides also exchanged views on matters under consideration at the United Nations Security Council and reaffirmed their historic bilateral relations.

Dar later had a talk with Bangladesh FM Dr Khalilur Rahman.

“They expressed concern over the evolving regional situation in the Middle East and the wider region and its implications for regional peace and stability, as well as its wider consequences. Reaffirming their commitment to strengthening Pakistan-Bangladesh relations, both sides agreed to continue close engagement to advance bilateral and multilateral cooperation,” the FO said.

Pakistan is trying to balance a carefully calibrated diplomatic stance amid a rapidly escalating regional crisis, condemning both the Israeli and US strikes on Iran as well as Iran’s retaliatory attacks on several Gulf countries.