Pakistan’s foreign minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday urged his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, that Tehran must ensure “uninterrupted energy supplies” and the “safe and expeditious passage of ships”, amid concerns over disruptions to crucial waterways in the Middle East.Dar, who also serves as Pakistan’s deputy prime minister, held a telephonic conversation with Araghchi to discuss the latest regional developments, according to a statement from Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) on X.During the call, Dar “stressed the importance of uninterrupted energy supplies and the safe and expeditious passage of ships, particularly given their implications for developing countries and global supply chains”.He also underscored that “dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable means to ensure peace and stability in the region”, the FO noted.The two ministers agreed to maintain close cooperation and meet in New York City next week on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, the foreign office added.The conversation came amid growing concerns over the safety of oil supply routes as tensions escalate around the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb, as well as uncertainty surrounding the United States-Iran war, which began on February 28.The Strait of Hormuz links the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman, while Bab al-Mandeb connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.The Strait of Hormuz has been under a virtual Iranian blockade since March, with Tehran effectively restricting passage through the critical maritime corridor in retaliation for US-Israeli attacks on Iran that triggered the conflict.Meanwhile, Yemen’s Houthi forces, aligned with Tehran, have imposed a de facto blockade on the Bab al-Mandeb Strait since July, seizing key shoreline territory and Mayun Island while specifically targeting Saudi-linked shipping and energy infrastructure.(With PTI inputs)
