Pakistan, which has been mediating ceasefire negotiations between the United States and Iran, has urged both countries to exercise restraint. Following recent military clashes over control of the Strait of Hormuz, Pakistan called on both sides to adhere to their commitments under the existing memorandum of understanding (MOU).
On July 9, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry stated, "All parties must comply with their commitments under the Islamabad MOU." The ministry emphasized, "Actions that undermine regional peace and stability should be avoided, and there is no alternative to continued cooperation, dialogue, and diplomacy."
This statement came shortly after the US and Iran clashed again over issues related to the control of the Strait of Hormuz and commercial shipping. The US reported that Iran attacked a commercial vessel passing through the Strait, prompting airstrikes on Iranian positions in the south. Iran, in turn, claimed to have targeted US military facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain.
The military confrontations have cast doubt on the follow-up negotiations scheduled to resume in Pakistan on July 11. Earlier, Al Arabiya reported, citing sources, that the talks were expected to resume after the funeral proceedings of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the former Supreme Leader of Iran.
Initially, the two countries aimed to halt hostile actions and normalize shipping through the Strait of Hormuz through this agreement. Pakistan has been playing a mediating role between the US and Iran since March. Although the two sides did not reach an agreement during their first ceasefire talks in April, they signed the MOU last month after indirect negotiations facilitated by Pakistan.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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