Pakistan Urges US, Iran to End Violence and Resume Talks
Pakistan on Thursday urged the United States and Iran to halt violence and return to technical-level negotiations, as renewed fighting in the Gulf threatened to further destabilise an already fragile regional environment. The appeal was made by Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi during the weekly press briefing in Islamabad.
The Foreign Office said Pakistan remained concerned that the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, mediated last month with Qatar, was facing serious challenges amid continuing hostilities. Islamabad’s message focused on reviving dialogue rather than allowing the conflict to expand into a wider regional confrontation.
According to the Foreign Office, Pakistan will continue encouraging all sides to stop military actions and resume talks in line with the MoU and the joint statement issued after direct negotiations in Switzerland. The statement reflected Islamabad’s position that diplomatic engagement remains the only workable path to de-escalation.
Andrabi said Pakistan hoped all parties would stay committed to dialogue and diplomacy for resolving outstanding disputes. He also stressed that conflicts ultimately return to the negotiation table, adding that sustained engagement was essential for peace, stability and progress in the region.
The appeal came as the United States and Iran continued exchanging attacks, with Washington targeting Iranian coastal defences and missile sites, while Tehran retaliated by striking American military positions in nearby Gulf countries. Pakistan warned that further escalation would undermine regional peace and could create broader consequences.
The current crisis has placed renewed pressure on the Islamabad MoU, which was designed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and support a phased pathway toward ending the conflict. The agreement had offered a diplomatic framework after months of tension, but fresh violence has now raised questions about its durability.
The Gulf crisis is deeply significant for Pakistan because the region is central to the country’s energy security, remittances and overseas workforce. Any prolonged disruption in shipping routes or oil supplies could affect fuel prices, import costs and inflation at home, making de-escalation a direct Pakistani interest rather than a distant diplomatic concern.
Pakistan has historically tried to maintain balanced ties with key Middle Eastern states while avoiding direct involvement in regional rivalries. Its role in the recent mediation effort reflects Islamabad’s attempt to position itself as a responsible diplomatic actor capable of supporting dialogue between competing powers.
The next step will depend on whether Washington and Tehran are prepared to restore communication channels under the Islamabad framework. Pakistan is expected to continue consultations with partners and press for restraint, while monitoring how the conflict affects regional security, Gulf economies and global energy markets.