Pakistan and Qatar intensified diplomatic efforts on Thursday to preserve the fragile Iran-US peace process. Fresh military escalation has threatened the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, which ended months of hostilities. Consequently, both mediators are working to prevent the agreement from collapsing.
Pakistan Engages Iran Amid Escalation
The latest crisis erupted after the United States launched fresh strikes on Iranian military targets. Washington said the attacks responded to Iran’s assault on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. In response, Tehran launched missile and drone attacks against US military installations across the Gulf.
Amid rising tensions, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir held a telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
According to Iran’s official news agency, Araghchi condemned the US strikes as a violation of the UN Charter and the Islamabad MoU. He also accused Washington of breaching the agreement through recent statements by senior US officials. Furthermore, he reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Pakistan has not yet released an official statement regarding the conversation. However, Islamabad continues its diplomatic outreach behind the scenes.
Mediators Urge Dialogue and Restraint
Earlier, Pakistan’s Foreign Office expressed deep concern over the renewed violence. It urged all parties to exercise restraint and honour commitments under the Islamabad MoU. Moreover, it stressed that continued dialogue and diplomacy remain the only path forward.
Diplomatic sources said Pakistan and Qatar remain in close contact with both Tehran and Washington. Their discussions focus on restoring the ceasefire and resuming negotiations on maritime security, sanctions relief, and the agreement’s implementation.
The recent escalation followed attacks on three commercial vessels, including a Qatari LNG tanker, in the Strait of Hormuz. Both Tehran and Washington accuse each other of violating the peace agreement. Nevertheless, Pakistani officials remain hopeful sustained diplomacy can revive negotiations and prevent a broader regional conflict.
