Iran’s FM reveals latest updates on Pakistan talks about Strait of Hormuz
TEHRAN, April 09 (YPA) – Iran’s Assistant Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh emphasized on Thursday that any peace in the region must include Lebanon, highlighting that the coming hours would be critical, according to a statement from the Iranian Foreign Ministry.
Khatibzadeh noted that Iran’s delegation was set to participate in upcoming talks in Islamabad, contingent upon Israel halting its aggression against Lebanon.
He explained that Iran was given a deadline to respond yesterday evening to allow space for diplomatic efforts aimed at compelling Israel to cease its attacks on Lebanon.
In a related development, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, during a phone call with his South Korean counterpart Cho Hyun, underscored the necessity for all parties to commit to a ceasefire as the foundation for ending the conflict on all fronts.
Araghchi also expressed gratitude for the support of countries including South Korea in promoting the cessation of hostilities and stressed that, if the opposing side honors its commitments during the ceasefire, passage through the Strait of Hormuz could be coordinated with the Iranian Armed Forces.
Araghchi further discussed the latest regional and international developments in a phone conversation with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty.
Meanwhile, Speaker of the Iranian Shura Council Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf affirmed that Lebanon and the Resistance Front are allies of Iran and an integral part of the ceasefire, noting this was outlined in the first of ten key points. Ghalibaf posted on the “X” platform that Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has clearly emphasized the importance of Lebanon, stating there is no room for denial or retreat on the issue.
Notably, the Israeli occupation carried out massacres against innocent civilians in multiple areas across Lebanon yesterday, resulting in hundreds of deaths and injuries—a blatant war crime and a clear violation of international law.
These attacks followed an announcement by Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif of an agreement between Iran, the United States, and their allies on an immediate ceasefire in all regions, including Lebanon, intended to take effect immediately. However, “Israeli Prime Minister” Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the ceasefire proposal, claiming it did not apply to Lebanon, which has led to an escalation of violence and massacres in the country.