WNAM MONITORING: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was back in Pakistan on Sunday, a diplomatic source told Dawn, a day after he left Islamabad for a visit to Oman as part of a tri-nation tour.
He is undertaking the trip against the backdrop of ongoing diplomatic efforts, notably by Pakistan, to bring Tehran and Washington to the table to talks aimed at ending the conflict that began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.
Araghchi arrived at the Nur Khan air base in Rawalpindi after completing a day-long visit to Oman, the diplomatic source said, adding that he would meet with senior Pakistani officials during his short stay in Islamabad.
The Iranian foreign minister will then depart for Moscow, he added.
Meeting with Oman’s sultan
Earlier in Oman, Araghchi met with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and briefed him “on the Iranian side’s perspectives” regarding the regional developments and the peace efforts, Oman’s foreign ministry said in a statement on X.
Araghchi “listened to His Majesty’s views on ways to advance these efforts in a manner that enhances opportunities for reaching sustainable political solutions and limits the repercussions of crises on the peoples of the region”, the statement said.
It added that the sultan affirmed the importance of prioritising the language of dialogue and diplomacy in addressing issues, in a way that contributed to consolidating the foundations of peace.
Araghchi expressed Iran’s appreciation for Oman’s positions in “supporting dialogue efforts and enhancing endeavours for security and stability in the region, especially amid the current regional challenges”, the statement said.
Separately, Iran’s foreign ministry said in a statement that the security in the Strait of Hormuz and broader Gulf waters and diplomatic efforts to end the US-Israeli war on Iran were discussed during the meeting.
It quoted Araghchi as saying the US military presence in the Middle East was fuelling insecurity and division. It said he called for a regional security framework free of outside interference during the meeting.
Separately, Iranian state broadcaster IRIB reported that he also held a phone call with his Saudi counterpart, Faisal bin Farhan, and discussed regional developments and ongoing diplomatic processes.
Later, state-run news agency IRNA reported that he also held a phone call with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and exchanged views on the “latest regional developments and ongoing diplomatic efforts”.
