Iran-US Standoff: Options for Pakistan

The European Union’s proposals to Iran over its nuclear program and the awaited response of the latter are spinning speculations across the globe about any possible outcomes. The US persuasion that Tehran should stop its Uranium enrichment or bear the repercussions bemuses not only Iran but also its neighboring countries-Pakistan in particular. In the backdrop of current Iran-US tension, IPS held a seminar entitled “Iran-US standoff:  Options for Pakistan” on June 8.
Lt. Gen. (R) Talat Masood was to speak on the US perspective while Agha Murtaza Pooya was invited to present Iran’s perspective.  Mr. Shamshad Ahmad Khan, ex-foreign secretary, dilated on Islamabad’s response to the crisis. The seminar was chaired and concluded by Chairman   Prof. Khurshid Ahmad.
The speakers analyzed different aspects of the tension between the two countries from  political, historical, and geographical aspects.
Calling on the regional and Muslim countries, the speakers warned of the dire consequences of the US attack on Iran as it would destabilize the entire region.
How shall Pakistan respond to the development? The panel suggested that Pakistan should adopt a pro-active policy to stop US from attacking Iran and play a key role in the peaceful resolution of the issue.
An interactive Q & A session followed the speeches in        which scholars, diplomats, intelligentsia, media and students    took part.