ISLAMABAD – Pakistan expressed deep concern over renewed escalation between the US and Iran, urging both sidesto exercise restraint and resolve their differences through dialogue. Islamabad also reaffirmed its willingness to continue mediating between Washington and Tehran to help restore regional stability.
The fresh exchange of strikes has dealt a significant blow to efforts aimed at ending the conflict in the Middle East. The latest flare-up followed Iranian attacks on at least three vessels in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, triggering extensive US strikes on Iranian targets on Tuesday. Iran responded with retaliatory attacks targeting Gulf countries, marking one of the most serious escalations since the ceasefire announced in April.
Foreign Office said renewed hostilities serve no country’s interests and called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint. “Pakistan calls on all parties to exercise restraint and refrain from any actions that may further undermine regional peace and stability. There is no alternative to continued engagement, dialogue and diplomacy to achieve the shared goal of peace in the region,” the FO said.
Islamabad also urged Washington and Tehran to honour the commitments made under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), describing the agreement as a lasting framework for mutual understanding, regional cooperation and shared prosperity. Reaffirming its diplomatic role, Pakistan said it remains ready to continue facilitating dialogue between the two longtime adversaries in an effort to de-escalate tensions.
Pakistan remained key mediator between Washington and Tehran this year, with its diplomatic efforts receiving repeated praise from the Trump administration.
The latest military exchange is not the first breach of the ceasefire reached in April. Last month, the United States launched strikes inside Iran after President Donald Trump accused Tehran of downing a US Apache helicopter. Iran responded by attacking US bases and other targets across the Gulf.
More than a week after those strikes, both countries signed the Islamabad MoU, granting a 60-day window to negotiate a comprehensive agreement covering Iran’s nuclear programme and related security issues. The agreement also required a complete suspension of military operations by both sides during the negotiations.
However, hopes for diplomacy appeared to fade dramatically on Tuesday. Speaking at the NATO summit in Ankara, President Trump declared that the ceasefire was effectively over, casting doubt on the future of negotiations. He also issued a stark warning that the United States would strike Iran “hard” later that night, raising fears that the conflict could enter an even more dangerous phase despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.
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