Pakistan stresses diplomacy as Iran rejects US ‘threats’

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• Dar discusses evolving regional situation in call with Araghchi • Iranian FM says Tehran rejects intimidation but remains open to dialogue • Insists seven-day Hormuz reopening proposal remains on table • Pakistani, Egyptian FMs condemn Houthi attacks, discuss R-4 coordination • Iran’s new defence minister threatens ‘enormous damage’ to US if attacks renewed ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Sunday stressed the need for continued dialogue and diplomacy in a telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi as regional tensions persisted amid the US-Iran conflict and renewed fighting in Yemen. The Foreign Office said the two ministers discussed the evolving regional situation as well as the ongoing meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers in Baghdad. Mr Dar “underscored the importance of continued dialogue and diplomacy in addressing regional challenges”, the FO said, adding that the two sides agreed to remain in close contact. Mr Dar also held a telephone conversation with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and exchanged views on recent regional developments. The ministers strongly condemned Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia and reaffirmed their solidarity with the kingdom as well as support for its sovereignty, territorial integrity and security. They also discussed cooperation under the Regional Four (R-4) framework comprising Pakistan, Egypt, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia. The two ministers looked forward to the next R-4 meeting to coordinate further on regional issues. Iran rejects ‘threats’ Meanwhile, Mr Arag­hchi told the OIC meeting in Baghdad that Iran “does not accept coercion, threats, or intimidation” by the US and “will not relinquish its sovereign rights under pressure”. “But it remains ready for dialogue based on mutual respect and credible guarantees,” he added. Speaking to the media in Baghdad, Mr Araghchi said Iran’s offer to reopen the strategic waterway within seven days remained on the table. “Our situation is clear and based on the seven-day proposal presented to the US. They shared comments which we are reviewing, but our proposal is still on the table,” Mr Araghchi said. He said that if the US showed “honesty”, the path towards reopening the Strait of Hormuz was clear. Iran’s conditions incl­ude lifting the US blockade on its ports, removing sanctions on its oil exports and ending hostilities across regional fronts. Mr Araghchi added that if Washington accepted Tehran’s conditions, the strait could reopen within six days, followed by the resumption of talks the next day. US warned Iran’s newly appointed defence minister Mehrdad Akhlaghi warned that any renewed US military attack would cause “enormous damage” to Washington and its regional allies. “People can rest assured that they will most likely not dare to attack us,” Mr Akhlaghi told reporters shortly after securing parliament’s vote of confidence. “If they do, they themselves and the region will suffer enormous damage,” he said. Published in Dawn, October 19th, 2026

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