Pakistan Urges US-Iran to Halt Attacks, Resume Talks

Pakistan urges the United States and Iran to stop mutual attacks and continue technical-level negotiations in accordance with the memorandum of understanding agreed in Islamabad.

Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi said the conflict that has continued for the past week has the potential to further disrupt regional peace and stability.

"As hostilities have continued for the past week, Pakistan has again called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and not take any actions that could further undermine peace and stability," Andrabi told reporters in Islamabad, Thursday, July 16, reported by ANTARA from Anadolu.

He stressed that Pakistan believes that dialogue and diplomacy are the only way to achieve sustainable peace.

"In the end, all conflicts and disputes are resolved through dialogue at the negotiating table," he said.

Andrabi said Pakistan continued to communicate with various parties concerned to help ease tensions.

The statement was made when the United States and Iran were still launching attacks on each other amid tensions over the Strait of Hormuz.

Last month, the presidents of the two countries signed an Islamabad memorandum of understanding that gave Washington and Tehran 60 days to negotiate a permanent peace deal.

Andrabi said the memorandum of understanding remains an important framework in promoting peace, mutual respect, and shared prosperity.

While acknowledging that its implementation faces challenges, he said Pakistan will continue to encourage all parties to stop violence and continue technical-level negotiations in accordance with the memorandum of understanding and the joint statement of Pakistan-Qatar on June 22.

After the signing of the interim agreement, the US and Iranian negotiating teams held talks in Switzerland with the mediation of Pakistan and Qatar.

"We hope that all parties will remain committed to the path of dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the various remaining issues," said Andrabi.

Regarding the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, Andrabi said many countries, especially in the Global South, were affected by the condition.

Pakistan, he said, considers it necessary to immediately address the impact of the situation in the Strait of Hormuz on the world's energy supply, trade, and food security.

He also expressed hope that the conditions in the Strait of Hormuz would soon return to normal and that the safety and freedom of international shipping would remain guaranteed.

Iran says the Strait of Hormuz is still under its control, while the United States has reimposed a blockade on Iranian ports.