Pakistan Urges US, Iran to End Violence, Resume Talks

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has urged the United States and Iran to “end violence” and resume technical-level talks, while noting that the Pakistan-mediated interim peace deal was “facing challenges”.

Pakistani foreign office in its weekly briefing vowed to remain committed to the peaceful resolution of US-Iran conflict.

Addressing a weekly press briefing, FO spokesperson Tahir Andrabi noted that the implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding signed between the US and Iran last month was “facing challenges”.

He affirmed that “Pakistan will continue to encourage all sides to end violence and resume technical-level talks in accordance” with the MoU and the joint statement issued by mediators Pakistan and Qatar on June 22.

The fresh fighting between the militaries of two countries has made peace more fragile in the region. US forces have targeted Iranian coastal air defenses and missile launching sites along Iranian coast in the Strait Hormoz. Iranian military has retaliated by targeting US military assets in the neighboring countries.

Spokesperson for the Iranian army Brigadier General Mohammad Akaminia stressed over Iran’s strategy in controlling the Strait of Hormuz, and said that “We will undoubtedly resist until the end and will neutralize US’ interventions in the region,” according to IRNA on Thursday.

The news outlet stated on their X account that the US “miscalculated” that striking certain bases would allow them to take control of the strait, and asserted that Iran can enforce its “dominance” over the strait “regardless of coastlines or islands”.

US completes ‘wave of strikes’ on Iran as Tehran retaliates with attacks on military bases in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait

The US launched two waves of attacks on Iran’s coastal defences and missile sites on Wednesday after reimposing a naval blockade of its ports, while Iran struck back by targeting US military sites in neighbouring countries in what it called an “existential war” with America.

The latest escalation comes days after a fragile truce collapsed, raising the spectre of a return to full-scale war, with Iran once again threatening to shut off more regional energy exports.

The latest rounds of fighting have put a lot of strain in the diplomatic framework for US-Iran talks pieced together by countries like Pakistan, Qatar and Turkey. Both Iran and United States have accused each other violating the ceasefire which was orchestrated by Pakistan’s political and military leaders.
Iran now has made further talks conditional with the reciprocal compliance of the Memorandum of Understanding by the United States. US President on the other hand has said US would not stop hitting Iran unless its leaders change course.

Pakistan has intensified its diplomatic outreach in an effort to prevent a complete collapse of the peace process it helped broker. Islamabad has repeatedly urged Washington and Tehran to honour the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, exercise restraint and resume dialogue, while continuing consultations with regional and international stakeholders. Pakistani officials maintain that renewed conflict serves no one’s interests and have expressed readiness to facilitate fresh negotiations if both sides are willing to return to the negotiating table.