IRAN’S foreign minister arrived in Pakistan’s capital today for a two-day official visit to discuss a range of issues, including tensions in the Middle East and further improving bilateral ties.

Abbas Araghchi was received by Pakistani officials just after midnight when his plane landed at an airport near Islamabad. He was set to meet with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and other officials at the Foreign Ministry today.

The visit comes as Iran is in an escalating confrontation with Israel. 

Iranian officials have warned of a potential further strike against Israel after the latter’s October 26 attack on the Islamic Republic that targeted military bases and other locations, and killed at least five people.

Pakistan denounced Israel’s strikes at the time.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the visit also “provides an important opportunity to advance co-operation and dialogue between Pakistan and Iran on a wide range of areas including trade, energy and security.”

Iran has sought for years to revive a long-stalled multi-billion gas pipeline project launched in 2013 to supply Iranian natural gas to energy-starved Pakistan. 

The project — denounced by the United States as a violation of sanctions imposed on Tehran over its nuclear programme — has been on hold since 2014.