ISLAMABAD >> Iran’s foreign minister held talks with top Pakistani officials Monday to try to mediate in the escalation between Islamabad and New Delhi after last month’s deadly attack on tourists in the Indian-controlled part of Kashmir, as the United Nations urged both sides to exercise restraint.

Abbas Araghchi’s visit to Islamabad was the first by a foreign dignitary since tensions flared in the wake of the April 22 massacre of 26 people, most of them Indian Hindu tourists, in the town of Pahalgam, which India blames on Pakistan. Islamabad denies the accusation.

A call for restraint

Tehran has offered to help ease tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors.

Araghchi held separate meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who thanked him for his peace efforts, according to government statements. Araghchi will visit India this week, according to Pakistani state-run media.

Antonio Guterres, the U.N. Secretary General, also urged both sides later Monday to exercise restraint: “Make no mistake: A military solution is no solution,” he told reporters.

“Now is the time for maximum restraint and stepping back from the brink,” Guterres said. “The United Nations stands ready to support any initiative that promotes de-escalation, diplomacy, and a renewed commitment to peace.”

Islamabad has offered to cooperate with an international investigation. India hasn’t accepted the offer so far, and several world leaders have urged both sides to show restraint and avoid further escalation.

Trading accusations

Pakistan’s military has been on high alert after Cabinet Minister Attaullah Tarar cited intelligence indicating that India could attack.

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said in televised remarks Monday that Pakistan “will exercise full restraint, but if India takes any adventurous step, then we will give a befitting response.”

According to a ministry statement, Dar, in talks with Araghchi, rejected what he described as India’s attempts to implicate Pakistan in the Kashmir attack.