Pakistan, Bahrain ministers discuss Mideast tensions after Iran strikes
The foreign ministers of Pakistan and Bahrain on Sunday discussed the escalating Middle East crisis following Iranian missile and drone attacks on US positions in the Gulf, with the Bahraini envoy praising Islamabad's “constructive” role in securing the recently signed framework deal between Washington and Tehran.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his Bahraini counterpart Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani on Sunday discussed the rapidly deteriorating security situation in the Middle East, as Iranian strikes on US positions in the Gulf threatened to unravel a fragile ceasefire mediated by Islamabad.
Gulf allies face renewed attacks
The conversation took place hours after Bahrain announced it had “successfully” intercepted and destroyed “a number of” Iranian missiles and drones targeting its territory. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had launched the strikes early Saturday in retaliation for US attacks on Iranian positions, according to a statement by Pakistan's Foreign Ministry.
Islamabad's diplomatic role
Al Zayani congratulated Pakistan on the signing of the US-Iran framework deal known as the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, praising Islamabad's “constructive” role in facilitating the agreement. He told Dar that he planned to visit Islamabad in the near future to personally thank Pakistan's leadership for their “great” efforts to achieve the ceasefire, adding that the deal could contribute to lasting peace in the region.
Dar thanked Al Zayani for his “kind sentiments” and reiterated Pakistan's resolve to promote dialogue and diplomacy for achieving stability in the region and beyond. Pakistan has played a central mediating role between Washington and Tehran since hostilities began on Feb. 28.
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