March 2, The Iran Project - Following the escalation of tensions between�Islamabad and New Delhi, Iran, as a friend of the two nations, which has extensive diplomatic and trade ties with both countries, expressed readiness�to help to achieve a peaceful resolution for the dispute.

On Wednesday (Feb. 27),�Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in a phone conversation with his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi had stated that Iran is ready to play a mediatory to defuse tensions between the two states.

After that in�a special meeting with foreign media in Rawalpindi, spokesperson of the Pakistan Army has welcomed the recent offer by Zarif and said�that we fully support and encourage the offer of Iranian friends. "This is what we expect from our friend and brotherly country of Iran," he added.

Meanwhile,�Pakistan embassy in Tehran in a statement released on Friday (March. 1) urged Iran to mediate between Islamabad and New Delhi, following the escalation of tensions between the two neighboring states.

"Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Tehran would like to urge the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to play an active role in de-escalating tensions and promoting a peaceful resolution of the issue," a statement said.

Moreover, talking exclusively on a �Dunya TV� channel�s program, Pak�Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said despite the efforts of negative elements, relations between Iran and Pakistan are growing stronger.

He said that Pakistan strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Sistan-Baluchestan Province and also felt the pain of Iranians. "We are cooperating with Iran on the issue and Iranians are fully aware of our efforts in this regards," said the minister.

Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated dramatically since February 14, when Indian paramilitary forces on the New Delhi-controlled side of Kashmir were hit by a deadly bomb attack orchestrated by Pakistan-based militants.

The tensions reached a peak on Tuesday when India�s Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said his country had conducted �preemptive� airstrikes against what it described as a militant training camp in Balakot near Kashmir, shortly after the Pakistani military accused New Delhi of violating its territory in the Kashmir region.