ZULFIQAR AHMAD

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday expressed deep concern over the renewed escalation in the Gulf region, calling on Iran and the United States to exercise restraint and pursue diplomatic avenues to prevent further instability.

Talking to the visiting Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni, Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to promoting regional peace and security, saying his government would continue efforts to support dialogue between the two sides.

“Pakistan will continue to play its role as an honest and sincere mediator and facilitator,” he said, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.

The talks came amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington following recent military strikes and a renewed cycle of hostilities that has cast uncertainty over diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.

Sharif welcomed Momeni and his delegation, recalling his recent visit to Tehran to attend the funeral of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei.

He conveyed his greetings and condolences to Iran’s new Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian.

The two sides discussed bilateral relations, regional developments and areas of mutual cooperation, the statement said.

Momeni conveyed greetings from the Iranian leadership and said his delegation’s visit was aimed at further strengthening ties between the two neighbouring countries.

He also thanked Pakistan’s leadership for its diplomatic engagement and acknowledged the efforts of Prime Minister Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir in facilitating the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.

The Iranian minister also expressed appreciation for Sharif’s visit to Tehran for the funeral ceremony of Ayatollah Khamenei.

Pakistan has in recent weeks positioned itself as a diplomatic bridge between Iran and the US, encouraging both sides to halt hostilities and return to negotiations under an understanding that Islamabad helped facilitate last month.

The arrangement, which had raised hopes for a broader ceasefire framework, was thrown into doubt after fighting resumed earlier this month.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Monday that diplomatic contacts with Washington, conducted through intermediaries, were continuing despite the US strikes on Iran.

Momeni has previously been involved in mediation efforts and held discussions with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi during an earlier visit to Iran.

The meeting was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and other senior officials, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.