*ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Military’s ISI played secret role in defusing Iran -Saudi Arabia worsening tensions through unannounced visits to bothcapitals.*
Prime Minister Imran Khan is set to visit Tehran on Sunday as part ofPakistan’s efforts to defuse worsening tensions between Iran and SaudiArabia, officials said on Friday.
The groundwork for the prime minister’s mediation tour was laid during anunannounced visit of a top government official to Iran and Saudi Arabia inthe last week of September, sources with the knowledge of the discreetdiplomacy told The Express Tribune.
During his visit to both the capitals, the official held talks with seniorIranian and Saudi authorities to help defuse tensions. There is no officialconfirmation of the secret visit, but it is believed to have covered someground, encouraging Prime Minister Imran to travel to both the countries.
According to observers Pakistan’s sustained efforts show that Islamabad isfar more serious in brokering a deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
Read Top Stories
Interestingly, the visit came within days after Prime Minister Imran heldtalks with US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Hassan Rouhanion the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in New York.
Imran also made a stopover in Riyadh to meet the Saudi Crown PrinceMohammed bin Salman before departing for New York. Imran later toldreporters that both the Saudi prince and the US president had asked him tomediate with Iran.
Tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia have seen a sudden spike after Saudioil facilitates came under missile attacks on September 14. Both the US andSaudi Arabia accused Iran of being behind the drone strikes, althoughTehran rebutted the claims.
