Pakistan’s foreign ministry denied reports by the Post that Pakistan was planning to provide Shaheen-III medium-range ballistic missiles to Iran, Reuters reported on Friday.
The spokesperson for the ministry, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, referenced the Post’s article earlier this week, which was based on a Maariv report.
Maariv, an Israeli publication and member of the Jerusalem Post Group, cited Arab sources in its report that Pakistan planned to supply Iran with the missiles should war break out with Israel. This was reportedly discussed during an emergency meeting of the foreign ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), requested by Iran and Pakistan, in Saudi Arabia.
Pakistan does not have diplomatic ties with Israel. Iran and Pakistan have previously experienced a tense relationship, but there has reportedly been an improvement since Iran’s president visited Pakistan in April, Reuters reported. The nations have since said they are boosting trade ties and regional cooperation.
Pakistan’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister Ishaq Dar had spoken by phone with Iran’s foreign minister in recent days, Baloch said and had attended an emergency meeting convened by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting in Saudi Arabia this week where he condemned Israel’s actions in the Gaza strip and called for a ceasefire and better access for humanitarian aid.
“He also called for preventing further escalation of violence and tensions,” she added.
Calls for de-escalation
Also, in her statement, Baloch said, “Pakistan will support all efforts to prevent a war in the Middle East.” She did not comment on whether Pakistan had been in contact with Washington over the issue.
This week a Pakistani man with alleged ties to Iran was charged in the United States in connection with a foiled plot to assassinate a US politician or government officials, according to the justice department.
Baloch said Pakistan had contacted US authorities and was waiting for more information. She added Pakistan could not determine any individual’s nationality without full details.
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