- The resumption of the conflict is in no one’s interest: FO.
- Iran says 8 military personnel were killed in US attacks.
- The United States will hit Iran hard tonight, Trump said.
Pakistan’s mediator on Wednesday urged all parties to exercise restraint and respect the Islamabad memorandum of understanding after the United States and Iran exchanged military strikes overnight following attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions in the region, saying that a resumption of conflict is in no one’s interest.
“Pakistan calls on all parties to exercise restraint and refrain from any actions that could further undermine regional peace and stability,” FO said.
Last month, the United States and Iran reached a 14-point interim agreement titled “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America” to end the war and open the Strait of Hormuz.
FO’s statement comes hours after Iran said it had targeted US military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait after US forces struck Iranian targets in response to attacks on oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
The attacks further undermined a fragile ceasefire agreement and dented hopes of turning the memorandum of understanding signed on June 17 into a permanent peace deal to end the war, which began with U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iran on February 28.
In the statement issued today, FO said there was no alternative to continued engagement, dialogue and diplomacy to achieve the common goal of peace in the region.
The Foreign Office said the agreement remains an enduring basis for understanding, mutual respect and shared prosperity in the region and beyond.
He added that Pakistan remained ready to continue playing its role in this regard.
“The interim agreement is over”
Earlier in the day, President Donald Trump said an interim deal to end the war with Iran was “finished” and that the United States was likely to launch new strikes Wednesday evening following Iranian attacks on U.S. bases in the Gulf.
Asked before the NATO summit in Turkey whether the memorandum of understanding was over, Trump replied: “That’s a very interesting question. To me, I think it’s over. I don’t want to deal with it.”
“They are sick people. They are led by sick people,” he told reporters in Ankara. “As far as I’m concerned, it’s just a waste of time with them.”
Although Trump has at times backed away from threats he made against Iran, oil prices surged and stocks fell after his latest remarks.
The resumption of hostilities has also increased safety and security concerns around the Strait of Hormuz, with shipping data showing at least four oil and gas tankers turned around rather than try to transit the waterway, a vital supply route.
Oil prices surged and global bond markets collapsed. Brent crude futures jumped more than 5%, the most in a day since late May, to $78.48 a barrel.
Iran’s official IRNA news agency said eight members of the country’s armed forces were killed in US strikes in southern Iran.
The victims belonged to the air force and navy and died due to the strikes in Bandar Abbas and Bushehr, the statement added.
