BEIJING: Following an exchange of fire targeting militant targets in their border region, including a strike that Tehran claims killed at least seven civilians, Beijing said on Thursday that it was willing to arbitrate between Pakistan and Iran.
mediate between Pakistan and Iran: The foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a regular press conference, “The Chinese side sincerely hopes that the two sides can exercise calm and restraint and avoid an escalation of tension.”
She expressed the willingness to contribute positively to defusing the situation if all parties desire it.
Along their thinly populated borders, nuclear-armed Pakistan and neighbouring Iran are fighting smouldering insurgencies.
On Thursday, Pakistan declared that it had struck targets in Iran considered as militant.
Tehran announced that in reaction to the attack, which left at least seven people dead, it has called the Pakistani charge d’affaires.
Both nations are members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and strong allies of Beijing.
Mao reaffirmed that Pakistan and Iran were “countries with important influence, and friendly countries to China.”