Pakistan urges US, Iran to 'end violence', resume technical-level talks

The Foreign Office (FO) on Thursday 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”.

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 20 following the direct talks in Switzerland.

“We hope all parties will remain committed to the path of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving their outstanding issues,” Andrabi added.

The remarks come as the warring parties continued to trade attacks on Thursday, with the US hitting Iran’s coastal defences and missile sites and Iran retaliating by targeting American military sites in neighbouring Gulf countries.

“As hostilities have continued over the past week, Pakistan reiterates its call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and refrain from any actions that would further undermine peace and stability,” Andrabi said.

“Pakistan firmly believes that there is no alternative to sustained engagement, dialogue and diplomacy in pursuit of the shared objectives of lasting peace, stability and progress,” he affirmed.

The FO spokesperson stressed that ultimately, “all conflicts and disputes are resolved through dialogue at the negotiation table”. He highlighted that the Islamabad MoU remained an “enduring framework for promoting peace, mutual respect and shared prosperity”.

The renewed fighting since July 8 has cast further doubt on the future of ​the Islamabad MoU agreement signed on June 18 that aimed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the war after a further 60 days of negotiations.

The war has again brought Gulf countries into the conflict, with Iran targeting US bases and military sites in Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait. Monday marked the heaviest attacks since the initial April 8 ceasefire reached between Tehran and Washington.

Last week, US President Donald Trump said he considers the ceasefire over, while leaving the door open to more talks.

The war that began with US and Israeli strikes against Iran on February 28 ⁠has destabilised the Gulf, while Iran’s effective blockade of the strait has driven energy prices higher, fuelling global inflation.

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