US-Iran standoff: Pompeo speaks to Gen Bajwa

WASHINGTON: United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke to Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa Friday to discuss the killing of Iranian top commander Qassem Soleimani which heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran. 

"#Pakistan's Chief of Staff General Bajwa and I spoke today about U.S. defensive action to kill Qassem Soleimani. The #Iran regime’s actions in the region are destabilizing and our resolve in protecting American interests, personnel, facilities, and partners will not waver," he tweeted. 

In another tweet, Pompeo disclosed he spoke to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani as well about Soleimani's killing "to protect American lives at stake".

Earlier, Pakistan advised both Washington and Tehran to refrain from taking 'unilateral action' against each other and abide by the UN charter to respect each other's territorial integrity. 

"All parties are urged to exercise maximum restraint, engage constructively to de-escalate the situation, and resolve issues through diplomatic means, in accordance with UN Charter and international law," the statement from Pakistan's foreign office reads. 

The Pentagon said US President Donald Trump ordered Soleimani's "killing," after a pro-Iran mob this week laid siege to the US embassy. Declaring three days of mourning across the country, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed to take "severe revenge" for Soleimani´s death.

During his speech at the US Institute of Peace last year, Prime Minister Imran Khan had warned the world that a conflict with Iran would unleash terrorism that will make the world forget about Al-Qaeda. 

"I'm not sure if all the countries realise the gravity of the situation. If there's a conflict with Iran, people don't understand. You know, this is not going to be the same as Iraq, this could be much, much, much worse. It will have great consequences for Pakistan," he had said, referring to deteriorating ties between Washington and Tehran. 

Related links:

Iran-US tensions: Pakistan urges all parties to exercise 'maximum restraint'

Iran vows to avenge Soleimani death in 'right place and time'

Tens of thousands rally in Iran capital against US 'crimes'