Tehran ready for dialogue with Saudi Arabia: Iranian Envoy

Diplomatic CircleTehran ready for dialogue with Saudi Arabia: Iranian Envoy

By Hamid Khan Wazir

Tehran ready for dialogue with Saudi Arabia: Iranian Envoy
Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan Seyyed Mohammad Ali Hosseini

ISLAMABAD: Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan Seyyed Mohammad Ali Hosseini on Thursday reminded that tensions in the Middle East continue unabated and called for the renewal of peace efforts.

Delivering a lecture at Islamabad Policy Institute (IPI), a local think tank, on ‘Pak-Iran Peace and Security Cooperation’, Mr Hosseini said that Pakistan has a vital role for the maintenance of regional peace and stability. He welcomed Prime Minister Imran Khan’s efforts for de-escalation of tensions in the region.

There “are clear signs of the fact that the regional circumstances are not improving”, the ambassador said. He contended that the tense situation was a result of external interference in the region, misperceptions, and miscalculations. “This cognitive impairment and miscalculations resulted in current crisis in the region,” he asserted.

The situation, he said, had been exacerbated by lack of dialogue and absence of a structured engagement in the region.

“What the region needs more than ever, is an across the board and comprehensive dialogue,” Ambassador Hosseini said. He recalled that Iran’s President Mr Hasan Rouhani had last year (2019) proposed a regional cooperation mechanism called Hormuz Peace Endeavour (HOPE) for durable peace throughout the region. The plan, he said, envisaged countering sectarian strife and tackling current conflicts in peaceful manner through dialogue and cooperation. He said ‘HOPE’ could help eliminate terrorism and extremism; realize vision of security for all; ensure respect for sovereignty of the countries and their integrity; contain threats and violence; and end external inferences in internal affairs of the countries in the region.

“Iran wants solutions and all the regional countries should be the axis of peaceful and diplomatic solutions” for the various conflicts afflicting the region, he said.

Ambassador Hosseini said Iran believes in “security for all”, but for realization of the vision of an all-encompassing peace, all sides will have to take “clear steps”.  Iran on its part, he said, was ready for dialogue with Riyadh. “Although there has been no positive response from Saudi Arabia as yet, but we have not lost hope,” he stated.

He said that Tehran sees Pakistan’s role for regional peace as a “very important” one. Pakistan, he said, has been “a good ally” in both good and bad times. “Tehran attaches high value to brotherly country of Pakistan,” he added.

He said PM Imran Khan was “sincerely” trying to improve bilateral relations. His efforts, he said, brought the two countries closer. He said security forces of both countries were cooperating for border security and the situation was much better now.

Iran, he said, was ready to join CPEC. He called for finding ways to deal with the sanctions and restrictions on Iran for expanding economic cooperation.

About the assassination of senior Iranian commander Gen Qassem Soleimani by the United States, Ambassador Hosseini said that USA by committing this “terrorist act” had once again proven that it not only had the slightest respect and care for human and ethical values, but also sees no obligation to legal and international rules and laws. The same mindset, he said, caused US President Donald Trump to threaten attack on cultural heritage of Iran, which is “joint cultural and civilization heritage of humanity”.

Former Defense Secretary Lt Gen (r) Asif Yasin Malik asked Iran to remain vigilant of India and the Hindu mindset there. India, he said, has no love lost for the Muslims.

Executive Director IPI Prof Sajjad Bokhari, on this occasion, said that Pak-Iran ties have been impacted by the regional and the geo-political environment. Citing examples of Pakistan staying out of Yemen War and offering mediation on multiple occasions, he observed that the two sides have importantly collaborated for peace in the past.

He suggested that the existing bilateral cooperation for peace and security could be further strengthened by working together for a regional security arrangement that could bring together all regional players and under which they could work together to address their security concerns. The first step in the direction, he noted would be to develop strategic convergence and build trust.

Mati
Mati
Mati-Ullah is the Online Editor For DND. He is the real man to handle the team around the Country and get news from them and provide to you instantly.

Must read

Recent News

Global peace today is confronted with ever evolving threats and challenges, says COAS Gen Asim Munir

Global peace is confronted with ever-evolving threats and challenges, says COAS Gen Asim Munir

0
Islamabad, Pakistan: General Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) has said that global peace today is confronted with ever-evolving threats and challenges.He...

Pakistan conducted a successful test-fire of ballistic missile by a Navy ship

0
Islamabad, Pakistan: Pakistan has conducted a successful test-fire of an indigenously developed ballistic missile by a Navy ship, reports DND News Agency from Islamabad.The...
The author Dr. Attia Anwar is a consultant family physician with a postgraduate degree from the Royal College of GP UK. She is a strong advocate of health and well-being and wants patient participation in decision-making regarding health.

Altruism is new egotism

0
By Dr Attia AnwarKindness is another thing that makes your life better. It is very important for the pursuit of happiness. After expressing gratitude...
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Pakistan today on a two-day official visit and he will hold meetings with civil and military leadership of Pakistan. This is his first visit to Pakistan after Israel attacked Iran in response to Iranian attack on certain Israeli cities. His meetings with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar are confirmed. Foreign Minister Araghchi will hold consultations on the situation in the Middle East and Pakistan-Iran bilateral relations. This visit provides an important opportunity to advance cooperation and dialogue between Pakistan and Iran on a wide range of areas including trade, economic, energy and security.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Islamabad

0
Islamabad, Pakistan: Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Islamabad today on a two-day official visit and he will hold meetings with...
War Model Criminal Justice Model Punitive Justice System and Restorative Justice System

Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2024: Can Pakistan mitigate terrorism only with the ‘War Model’?

0
DND ReportThe re-emergence of terrorism in Pakistan is now obscuring Pakistan’s potential to become an investment-oriented destination. Today, Pakistan depends upon the ‘War...
Advertisement