Key points
- Stakes in the India-Pakistan conflict are high
- Both countries possess nuclear weapons
- Iran’s mediation efforts offer a potential path to de-escalation
ISLAMABAD: As tensions between India and Pakistan reach a boiling point, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has publicly offered Tehran’s assistance in mediating the crisis.
The diplomatic spat between New Delhi and Islamabad intensified with India’s withdrawal from the Indus Waters Treaty and Pakistan shutting its airspace to Indian airlines in retaliation for a slew of diplomatic steps in the wake of the Pahalgam attack.
In a post on social media, Araghchi emphasised the longstanding cultural and civilisational ties between the two nations, saying, “Tehran stands ready to use its good offices in Islamabad and New Delhi to forge greater understanding at this difficult time.”
India and Pakistan are brotherly neighbors of Iran, enjoying relations rooted in centuries-old cultural and civilizational ties. Like other neighbors, we consider them our foremost priority.
Tehran stands ready to use its good offices in Islamabad and New Delhi to forge greater… pic.twitter.com/5XsZnEPg2D
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) April 25, 2025
The stakes in the India-Pakistan conflict are high, with both countries possessing nuclear weapons.
Iran’s mediation efforts offer a potential path to de-escalation and peace, while avoiding further destabilisation of the region.
“India and Pakistan are brotherly neighbours of Iran, enjoying relations rooted in centuries-old cultural and civilisational ties. Like other neighbours, we consider them our foremost priority. Tehran stands ready to use its good offices in Islamabad and New Delhi to forge greater understanding at this difficult time,” Araghchi tweeted.
The Iranian minister quoted the Persian poet Saadi’s comments, reflecting a message of human connections, empathy, solidarity, and compassion.
“Tehran stands ready to use its good offices in Islamabad and New Delhi to forge greater understanding at this difficult time, in line with the spirit taught by Persian poet Saadi:
“Human Beings are members of a whole
In creation of one essence and soul
If one member is inflicted with pain
Other members uneasy will remain”
“Act of war”
In addition to the closure of airspace to Indian airlines, Pakistan also announced a series of retaliatory measures, including shutting down the Wagah border, suspending all Saarc visas for Indian nationals, suspending the Simla accord, and halting of trade activities.
It also said that any move to divert water meant for it under the Indus Water Treaty would be considered an “act of war”.
Dar, Araghchi speak
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar Friday held a telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi.
The deputy prime minister briefed him on recent developments in Pakistan-India relations and rejected India’s “baseless allegations”.
According to APP news agency, he cautioned against any further escalatory moves by India and appreciated the efforts of Iran to diffuse the situation in the region.
Ishaq Dar also wished all the success for the Iran-US dialogue to be held in Muscat on Saturday.
