Iran Security Chief Cancels Pakistan Visit

The Washington Times:

The president of Iran's powerful Higher Council for National Security, Ali Larijani, canceled a Monday visit to Pakistan. A statement by the council said no new date was fixed for the visit and mentioned no reason for the cancellation.

But political observers quoted by the private Iranian news agency, Mehr, linked the cancellation to Pakistan's decision to establish diplomatic relations with Israel following the latter's withdrawal from Gaza Strip.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asafi deplored Pakistan's move, saying "we express sorrow and bewilderment over the cordial meeting between Pakistani and Zionist officials."

Asafi was referring to a meeting last week between the Pakistani foreign minister and his Israeli counterpart in Turkey.

If Pakistan recognizes Israel it could indicate a massive shift in the Arab world in support of recognition of the state of Isreal. This would leave Iran as the major obstacle towards Middle East peace initiatives.