Iran: Pakistan willing 'to facilitate talks' with Saudi Arabia – PM Imran Khan to Rouhani

W/S Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan arriving at conference, Tehran
M/S Khan and Rouhani at podium
SOT, Hassan Rouhani, President of Iran (Farsi): "We discussed our concerns with the Prime minister on Friday, with respect to the incidents of the tankers, especially regarding the Iranian tanker in the Red Sea."
M/S Khan and Rouhani at podium *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Hassan Rouhani, President of Iran (Farsi): "Mr. Prime minister emphasised on this point that the key to solving the issue is the termination of the war in Yemen and an immediate ceasefire and also helping the Yemeni people, and it could be a good beginning."
M/S Officials at news conference *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Hassan Rouhani, President of Iran (Farsi): "We also emphasised on the issue that the US, for solving the problem, must return to the JCPOA and lift the sanctions which are the key point of our talks."
M/S Officials at news conference *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Imran Khan, Prime Minister of Pakistan: "We do not want a conflict in this region. Pakistan suffered 70,000 casualties in the last 15 years, in the war on terror. Afghanistan is still suffering, the people of Afghanistan. Syria - terrible devastation taking place there. So, we do not want another conflict in this part of the world."
M/S News conference in progress *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Imran Khan, Prime Minister of Pakistan: "The reason for this trip? That we do not want a conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran. We recognise that it's a complex issue, we recognise that. But we feel that this can be resolved through dialogue. But what should never happen, is war between Saudi Arabia and Iran because this will not just affect this whole region, our two brotherly countries will be affected. But this will cause poverty in the world, oil prices will go up, countries which should be spending money on their human beings will end up spending money on buying expensive oil."
M/S Officials at news conference *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Imran Khan, Prime Minister of Pakistan: "I go in a very positive frame of mind to Saudi Arabia and we will act, I repeat, as a facilitator not a mediator, a facilitator. We would like to facilitate talks, as you mentioned during our conversation. In the past Pakistan has hosted Saudi Arabia and Iran in Islamabad, in the past to iron out your differences, and so we are again willing to do the same thing."
M/S Khan and Rouhani shaking hands
W/S End of news conference
C/U Flags of Pakistan and Iran
SCRIPT
The Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan urged for talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran during a joint news conference with the Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in Tehran on Sunday as part of his official visit to the nation.
"The reason for this trip? We do not want a conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran. We recognise that it's a complex issue, we recognise that. But we feel that this can be resolved through dialogue. But what should never happen, is war between Saudi Arabia and Iran because this will not just affect this whole region, our two brotherly countries will be affected. But this will cause poverty in the world," Khan said during the news conference.
Imran Khan also talked about his upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia, stating that he will act in the capacity as a "facilitator" and not a mediator.
"We would like to facilitate talks," he said.
"We do not want a conflict in this region. Pakistan suffered 70,000 casualties in the last 15 years, in the war on terror. Afghanistan is still suffering, the people of Afghanistan. Syria-terrible devastation taking place there. So, we do not want another conflict in this part of the world," he added.
Rouhani commented on the recent alleged missile attack against an Iranian oil tanker in the Red Sea as well as the situation in Yemen and US sanctions.