The purpose of the visit was to mediate between the two countries, the official added.
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan (Photo: IANS)
Prime Minister Imran Khan is expected to travel to Iran and Saudi Arabia this month as part of Pakistan’s efforts to defuse brewing tensions in the Middle East.
The prime minister will visit Tehran and Riyadh in coming days, according to Foreign Office, The Tribune reported.
The purpose of the visit was to mediate between the two countries, the official added.
Advertisement
Although the Yemeni Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility, both Saudi Arabia and the US have blamed Iran for the drone strikes – a charge Tehran has strongly rebutted.
But Pakistan and certain other countries have been trying to mediate between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
Last month, Prime Minister Khan himself acknowledged the mediation efforts when he visited New York to attend the UN General Assembly session (UNGA), The Express Tribune reported.
Tensions have been brewing between Tehran and Riyadh since the Saudi oil facilities were struck by missiles last month. Both Saudi Arabia and the United States blamed Iran for the drone strikes — a charge Tehran has strongly rebutted.
Imran Khan said that US President Trump also asked him to help defuse tensions with Iran. Before departing to New York.
PM Khan also made a stopover in Riyadh where he held talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session, the prime minister met Iranian President Hassan Rouhani as part of the diplomatic push to defuse the Middle East tensions. To follow up the discussions, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi thrice met his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif in New York.
Advertisement
