Pakistan army 'cautiously optimistic' on US-Iran mediation
Pakistan's military spokesman said the army is cautiously optimistic about mediation between Iran and the United States. He spoke to Reuters on Friday, the first comments since a high-level delegation visited Tehran this week.
- Army spokesman Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry spoke to Reuters on Friday
- Field Marshal Asim Munir has visited Tehran twice this month, most recently on Monday
- Qatari mediators arrived in Tehran on Friday, according to Al Jazeera
Pakistan's army is cautiously optimistic about mediation between Iran and the United States, military spokesman Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said on Friday. According to Al Jazeera, his remarks to Reuters were the first since a high-level delegation visited Tehran this week.
Regional countries are trying to revive a ceasefire in the eight-month-old war. Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, described as Pakistan's chief mediator, has been to Tehran twice this month, most recently on Monday.
Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin joined Munir in Tehran on Monday. Qatari mediators arrived in Tehran on Friday in an apparent effort to revive the June ceasefire, which collapsed months later.
Explaining his optimism, Chaudhry said: "Why would the Field Marshal be going twice if it is not for some positivity? So yes, of course". He declined to say what was discussed in Tehran or whether the United States backed the trip.
Chaudhry also warned that some parties are seeking to obstruct mediation between the US and Iran. Al Jazeera's summary quoted him as referring to powerful spoilers and detractors who believe the conflict serves them.
After Monday's talks, Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said regional security should be ensured by regional countries without foreign intervention.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement on August 7. Chaudhry said the wording of the pact does not bar new members, adding: "Anyone who has a shared vision of collective deterrence and regional peace, why not? Everyone is most welcome".
On whether more Pakistani troops would go to Saudi Arabia under the deal, he said it depends on the situation and the decision of both countries' political leadership. Fighting between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthi group has been reignited by the Iran conflict; Chaudhry said: "We are not part of the Yemeni conflict, which is an intra-Yemen conflict".
Why it matters
Pakistan's army chief is acting as chief mediator in a conflict that affects regional security and Pakistan's relations with Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Iran.
