Iranian FM clarifies: ‘We have never refused to visit Islamabad for talks’

While appreciating Pakistan for the peace efforts, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Saturday said Iran never refused to go to Islamabad for talks in this regard.

The Iranian foreign minister, while rejecting certain media reports, expressed his gratitude to Pakistan for its efforts to ensure peace in the region.

“We are deeply grateful to Pakistan for its efforts and have never refused to go to Islamabad. What we care about are the terms of a conclusive and lasting END to the illegal war that is imposed on us,” Araghchi stated in a post on his X account, adding that Iran’s position is being misrepresented by the US media.

Retweeting the Iranian FM’s post, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar appreciated Araghchi for his comments regarding Pakistan’s efforts for peace in the region. 

DPM Dar stated: “Truly appreciate your clarification, my Dear Brother,” and also tagged the Iranian foreign minister.

In response to a question that the Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson, after the conference of four foreign ministers in Islamabad, allegedly stated that Iran is not involved in the Pakistan-led talks or meetings, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi on April 2 responded that the words of Iranian spokesperson were misrepresented, and clarification had come from Iran in this regard.

The Iranian ambassador had issued a clarification, he said, adding that Pakistan was fully satisfied with the comments of the ambassador.

“I would, however, caution the media on a very deep nexus between the peddlers of fake information, which are in abundance in India, teaming with the fake news peddlers in Afghanistan. These fake news peddlers are spreading misinformation. When this misinformation was spreading. I was clear because I had heard the spokesperson of the Iranian ministry of foreign affairs, Ambassador brother Esmaeil Baghaei, speaking live. We had no doubt.

“His words were misrepresented. We would caution you not to pay heed to these fake news peddlers in India and their cohorts abroad. They are habitual liars. In this situation where we have a delicate, sensitive process of facilitation of dialogue taking place, and in these times where hostilities and a war-like situation is prevailing in our region, such fake news can be extremely dangerous,” he had added.