Iran holds talks with Pakistan, South Korea

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held separate talks this month with counterparts in Pakistan and South Korea as Tehran pressed diplomatic contacts across Asia during a period of regional tension. Pakistan's foreign ministry counterpart, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, spoke with Araghchi by phone on May 4, according to Iran's foreign ministry. Cho Hyun, South Korea's foreign minister, held a separate telephone conversation with Araghchi on May 3, Iran said. The calls came after South Korea had already sent a special envoy to Tehran in April to discuss ship safety in the Strait of Hormuz and after Pakistan was publicly described by Iran as playing a mediating role in contacts with the United States. ### Which Iranian officials spoke with Pakistan and South Korea? Seyed Abbas Araghchi spoke with Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Pakistan's deputy prime minister and foreign minister, in a telephone call on Sunday evening, May 4, Iran's foreign ministry said. Iran said Araghchi thanked Pakistan for what it called a "constructive role" as a mediator in interactions between Iran and the United States and discussed regional developments and diplomatic efforts to end what Tehran described as a war imposed by the United States and Israel. (en.mfa.gov.ir) Cho Hyun spoke with Araghchi on Saturday, May 3, according to Iran's foreign ministry. Iran said the two men exchanged views on regional and international developments and that Araghchi briefed Cho on diplomatic efforts related to ending the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel. (en.mfa.gov.ir) ### What did Iran and Pakistan say about the substance of their call? IRNA reported that Araghchi and Dar discussed "the latest developments in the region" in a Thursday phone call published last week. The Iranian state news agency said the two ministers stressed dialogue, diplomacy and "constructive cooperation among regional countries" to preserve stability and prevent tensions from escalating. (en.mfa.gov.ir) Iran's foreign ministry gave more detail for the May 4 call, saying Araghchi specifically referred to Pakistan's mediation role in Iran-U.S. contacts. The Iranian account did not announce an in-person meeting or a signed agreement. ### Why was South Korea in contact with Tehran? (en.irna.ir) South Korea's foreign ministry sent special envoy Chung Byung-ha to Tehran on April 23 to seek Iran's cooperation for the safe transit of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, Yonhap reported. Seoul said Chung asked for the swift and safe passage of all vessels, including South Korean ships, as the government worked to protect stranded crews and maintain shipping access through the waterway. (en.mfa.gov.ir) Yonhap said 26 South Korea-related ships and 173 Korean crew members remained stranded in the strait at that time. Araghchi told the envoy Iran was ready to cooperate on bilateral ties and would continue to pay attention to South Korean nationals in Iran, according to Yonhap's account of statements from both sides. ### How central is the Strait of Hormuz to the South Korea file? (en.yna.co.kr) Yonhap reported on March 21 that South Korea was in close consultation with Iran and other countries to secure a normalization of passage through the Strait of Hormuz. A South Korean foreign ministry official said Seoul was exploring ways to protect citizens and secure energy transport routes while communicating actively with Iran and other governments. (en.yna.co.kr) The Strait of Hormuz handles more than 20% of global oil trade, according to Yonhap's March 21 report. That exposure has made shipping access a concrete issue in Seoul's contacts with Tehran, alongside broader bilateral ties. ### Did either set of talks produce a public agreement? Neither Iran's account of the Pakistan and South Korea calls nor Yonhap's reporting on South Korea's envoy described a formal agreement, treaty or timetable. (en.yna.co.kr) The public record instead shows consultations: Pakistan and Iran discussing regional diplomacy, and South Korea and Iran discussing regional developments, ship transit and the status of Korean nationals. Pakistan and Iran said they would remain engaged after earlier contacts, and South Korea said it was continuing consultations with Iran and other countries on shipping safety. The next public updates are most likely to come through foreign ministry readouts, IRNA dispatches or Yonhap reporting tied to any further call, envoy visit or shipping announcement. (en.irna.ir) (en.mfa.gov.ir)