ISLAMABAD — The head of a mountaineering club says rescuers have called off their search for three Iranian mountain climbers who went missing in northern Pakistan.

Manzoor Hussain, president of Pakistan's Alpine Club, said Sunday his outfit was coordinating the expedition, and that the three Iranians successfully ascended the 8,051-meter (26,414-foot) summit of Broad Peak.

He says the men sent a call for help last Tuesday while descending the peak, saying they were exhausted and had run out of food.

Hussain says rescue teams were dispatched, but failed to find them. A helicopter search Sunday has been called off.

He says the three men were last in touch with their homeland via satellite phone on Saturday.