Pakistan urges US, Iran to resume talks as strikes threaten peace deal

Islamabad,UPDATED: Jul 16, 2026 14:06 IST

Pakistan on Thursday urged the US and Iran to end hostilities and return to negotiations, as fresh military strikes between the two sides threatened to upset their interim peace arrangement and further unsettle the region.

The appeal came as the latest exchanges raised uncertainty over the interim agreement reached last month to open the way for a permanent settlement. Pakistan said there was no alternative to dialogue and diplomacy for lasting peace and stability.

Addressing the weekly media briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi acknowledged the difficulties facing the interim peace deal. He said the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, signed last month, had led to the start of technical-level talks aimed at reaching a permanent peace agreement within 60 days. However, the process stalled after the US and Iran resumed attacks last week.

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

He added, "Pakistan will continue to encourage all sides to end violence and resume technical-level talks in accordance. We hope all parties will remain committed to the path of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving their outstanding issues." Reiterating Islamabad's position, Andrabi said there was no alternative to sustained engagement, dialogue and diplomacy in pursuit of lasting peace, stability and progress. He also said all conflicts and disputes should be resolved through dialogue.

The latest round of attacks came after the US expanded its military strikes on Iran, while Tehran responded with missile and drone attacks targeting Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait, raising fears of a wider regional conflict. Andrabi said the Islamabad MoU remained an enduring framework for promoting peace, mutual respect and shared prosperity.

The spokesperson also stressed the need to ensure continued safety, security and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. "Many countries, particularly those in the Global South, are being adversely affected by the situation in the Strait of Hormuz," Andrabi said. As tensions between the US and Iran continued, global oil prices began to rise, causing concern in Pakistan, a major oil importer.

Pakistan's message was that the interim framework should be preserved, the violence should stop and technical-level talks should resume, even as the renewed strikes and concerns over the Strait of Hormuz added to regional and economic uncertainty.

With PTI Inputs

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