PM Shehbaz to visit Iran, Turkiye as part of mediation efforts to end Middle East war: sources

ISLAMABAD: As a part of Pakistan’s diplomacy to ensure sustainable peace in the Middle East region, the visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Iran and Turkiye is planned to take place from July 3 to 6, according to sources in the Prime Minister’s Office.

This is being done in the wake of increased tension between the United States and Iran. Following the attack by Iran on a vessel passing through the Strait of Hormuz, US forces have launched new attacks on Monday morning on some targets in Iran. Tehran reciprocated by attacking the US military bases in Bahrain and Kuwait before they mutually decided to stop the firefights.

It was learned from sources that Prime Minister Shehbaz would meet the leadership of Iran and Turkiye and appeal to both Iran and Washington to show restraint in view of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which has been signed lately and is a part of the peace initiative.

This latest exchange of fire has once again exposed the fragility of the interim peace accord facilitated by Pakistan to end the hostilities that erupted in February on the 28th day of the month.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on Monday that the region should establish a new security framework involving all regional countries without the involvement or interference of outside powers.

His remarks echoed a proposal made earlier by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who called for the creation of a new regional security architecture led by countries within the region.

President Pezeshkian introduced the idea during his recent visit to Pakistan, where he thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir for their role in facilitating efforts to end the conflict.