US-Iran conflict: Envoys of China, Iran meet COAS Bajwa

RAWALPINDI: Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Seyyed Mohammad Ali Hosseini on Wednesday called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa at GHQ, ISPR said in a statement.

According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), during the meeting, both leaders discussed regional security situation including US-Iran standoff.

Separately, Ambassador of China to Pakistan H.E Mr Yao Jing also met COAS Gen Bajwa and discussed regional security situation.

Earlier in the day, United States Secretary of Defence Mark T Esper telephoned Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa to discuss a recent escalation in the Middle East following the killing of top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani.

Director General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Major General Asif Ghafoor took to Twitter saying, COAS received a telephone call from US Secretary of Defence Mark T Esper and both leaders discussed the ongoing security situation in the Middle East.

“US doesn’t want to seek conflict, but will respond forcefully if necessary,” said ISPR as quoting US Defence secretary.

Tensions have been escalating between US and Iran after Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force was killed on Friday in a US airstrike on his convoy at Baghdad airport.