Astana: Kazakhstan confirmed it is ready to provide a venue for peace talks to end the ongoing US-Israeli offensive on Iran, as its top diplomat held a phone call with his Iranian counterpart.
According to Anadolu Agency, the Kazakh Foreign Ministry stated that Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev and Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi discussed the current situation in the Middle East and exchanged views on key issues of bilateral cooperation. Kosherbayev expressed concern over the situation in Iran and confirmed Kazakhstan's readiness to host peace negotiations in the city of Turkistan, as previously proposed by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
"In addition, it was agreed to continue the dialogue on relevant issues of the bilateral relations," the ministry added. Last week, Tokayev said during a speech in the country's southern Turkistan region that while Kazakhstan does not seek a mediating role, it is ready to provide a platform for peace talks on Iran, which he said could be held in the region's administrative center of the same name.
For nearly a month, the US and Israel have carried out an air offensive on Iran, resulting in significant casualties, including the death of then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, leading to casualties, infrastructure damage, and disruptions in global markets and aviation.