Pakistan is facing a difficult diplomatic situation as tensions between the United States and Iran continue to rise, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said.
Describing the situation as a “tightrope walk”, Asif said Islamabad has close relations with both Iran and the Gulf nations involved in the ongoing crisis. Pakistan is therefore trying to maintain communication with all sides while avoiding actions that could damage its diplomatic position.
Islamabad has previously attempted to facilitate dialogue between Washington and Tehran, although efforts have yet to result in a lasting settlement.
Asif said Pakistan would carefully assess how far it could go in any further mediation efforts. He stressed that the country’s relationships with Iran and the Gulf states were both important and needed to be protected.
The minister said Pakistan had been in contact with both Washington and Tehran and would continue looking for a diplomatic solution.
He also indicated that Islamabad would not necessarily respond to every development in the same way as other countries involved in the crisis.
According to Asif, Pakistan’s priority is to preserve its diplomatic flexibility while hoping that negotiations can eventually provide a way out of the escalating tensions.