Leader hopes for settlement of India-Pakistan disputes
Sharif: Islamabad upholds Tehran’s right to peaceful nuclear energy
Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Monday expressed hope for the settlement of differences between Pakistan and India, which once again bubbled up following a recent military conflict between the two neighboring countries.
Ayatollah Khamenei made the remarks in a meeting with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Tehran – the second leg of his four-nation tour which began with Turkey and will take him to Azerbaijan and Tajikistan.
The Leader expressed his satisfaction with the end of the military conflict between Pakistan and India, which was triggered by an April 22 attack in Indian-controlled Kashmir, in which 26 tourists were killed. India blamed Pakistan for the attack and launched an operation on its neighbor, which provoked Islamabad’s retaliation.
More than 70 people were killed during the clashes that began on May 7 and lasted for four days. However, both sides reached a cease-fire agreement on May 10 following the brief period of hostilities.
Earlier in the day, the Pakistani prime minister in a joint press conference with Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian underlined that Islamabad wants peace.
“We pursue peace through dialogue; we are willing to resolve issues such as Kashmir through dialogue and in accordance with the resolutions of the (UN) Security Council.”
He also appreciated Pezeshkian’s expression of concern at the height of the recent military confrontation between Pakistan and India.
“I appreciate your brotherly feelings towards the people of Pakistan,” Sharif told Pezeshkian.
During the joint press conference on Monday, Pezeshkian said Tehran welcomes the establishment of the cease-fire and peace between Pakistan and India.
“Undoubtedly, resolving disputes through dialogue and peaceful ways is a prerequisite for sustainable development and guarantees security at the national, regional, and international levels” Pezeshkian said.
Iran’s peaceful nuclear energy
The Pakistani prime minister also said on Monday that Islamabad fully supports Iran’s right to use peaceful nuclear energy, as the Islamic Republic is engaged in negotiations with the US on its nuclear program.
He also described as “constructive” a joint meeting earlier held between the high-ranking Iranian and Pakistani delegations, saying that, “We are seeking to reach agreements in the field of trade and economic cooperation with our neighboring country, Iran.”
Pezeshkian also referred to the joint meeting, saying that Iran and Pakistan emphasized the expansion of political, economic, cultural, and international cooperation in the meeting.
The Iranian president also strongly condemned the continuation of the Israel’s crimes against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the silence of some Western countries on the issue and their support for the Israeli regime.
"We call on all Islamic countries to adopt a unified and decisive position in full support of the oppressed people of Palestine and Gaza," he said.