Pakistan urged all parties to exercise immediate restraint on Wednesday following a dangerous escalation in the Middle East. The plea follows overnight military strikes between the United States and Iran. These hostilities erupted after recent attacks on commercial ships in the vital Strait of Hormuz.
Consequently, the Foreign Office expressed deep concern over the rising regional tensions. In an official statement, authorities emphasized that a renewed conflict serves no one’s interest.
“Pakistan calls on all parties to exercise restraint and refrain from any actions that may further undermine regional peace and stability,” the FO said.
The current crisis severely threatens a 14-point interim agreement reached just last month. Titled the “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America,” the accord aimed to halt ongoing warfare and keep the strategic shipping lane open.
Escalating Hostilities and Casualties in the Gulf
The official diplomatic warning came just hours after Iran targeted US military sites located in Bahrain and Kuwait. Tehran launched these missile strikes after American forces hit Iranian targets earlier in the evening. The initial US actions responded directly to attacks on oil tankers navigating the Strait of Hormuz.
Unfortunately, these back-and-forth strikes have deeply dented hopes of turning the June 17 memorandum into a permanent peace deal. The broader war initially began following US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran on February 28.
The human toll of the latest escalation is already rising. Iran’s state news agency reported that eight members of the country’s armed forces died during the US strikes on southern Iran. The victims belonged to the air force and navy, losing their lives during bombardments in Bandar Abbas and Bushehr.
Trump Declares the Interim Peace Accord Over
Meanwhile, political rhetoric has intensified the crisis. US President Donald Trump stated that the interim agreement to end the war with Iran is now officially over. Speaking before a NATO summit in Turkiye, he indicated that the United States would likely launch powerful new strikes very soon.
When reporters in Ankara asked whether the diplomatic memorandum was dead, Trump gave a definitive response.
“It’s a very interesting question. To me, I think it’s over. I don’t want to deal with them.”
He further criticized Iranian leadership during his media briefing.
“They’re sick people. They’re led by sick people,” he told reporters in Ankara. “As far as I’m concerned, it’s just a waste of time dealing with them.”
Global Markets Reel as Shipping Routes Stall
Although the American president has previously stepped back from military threats, his latest remarks triggered immediate global economic panic. Consequently, global oil prices surged dramatically while stock markets tumbled. Brent crude futures leapt more than 5% to settle at $78.48 a barrel, marking the largest single-day jump since late May.
Simultaneously, maritime safety concerns have paralyzed local shipping routes. Fresh tracking data showed at least four major oil and gas tankers turning back rather than risking a transit through the volatile waterway.
Despite the collapse of the ceasefire, Pakistan’s Foreign Office insists that dialogue remains the only viable path forward. The department stated that the Islamabad agreement still provides an enduring foundation for mutual respect and regional prosperity. Ultimately, Pakistan remains ready to play its mediating role to restore diplomatic engagement.
