ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign office spokesperson said on Thursday that negotiations between the United States (US) and Iran to normalize the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and de-escalate tensions are ongoing, saying that Islamabad was doing its utmost to bring both parties back to abide by the peace agreement they signed last month.
The Pakistani diplomat’s statement came hours after the US Central Command said it had launched “powerful” strikes on Iran. CENTCOM said the strikes were in response to Iran’s attempted attacks on US forces based in the Middle East on Wednesday. The first strikes after a nearly week-long lull in fighting dashed hopes of a return to negotiations.
Pakistan has mediated between the US and Iran since their conflict began in February. Islamabad helped broker a peace agreement between the two sides in June, known as the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Both sides resumed fighting this month after the US accused Iran of firing at commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking at a weekly press briefing in Islamabad, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan is engaged in efforts to promote peace and will continue to play its role in this regard.
“Let me add that the negotiations between the parties are ongoing to normalize the situation, particularly the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and as well to de-escalate,” Andrabi said.
He said Pakistan was doing its “utmost” to bring both parties back to the Islamabad MoU so that all irritants can be removed. He said dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable option to ensure peace in the region, urging both sides to adhere to their commitment to resume technical-level talks to implement the peace agreement.
Regional tensions once again flared up on Wednesday when Saudi Arabia and the US announced strikes on militant bases in Iraq, while US ally Israel accused Iran-backed Hezbollah of a truce violation.
Earlier, Jordan’s army said it had intercepted five Iranian missiles, with Iran’s Revolutionary Guards saying they had targeted US bases there.
The US had said the days-long cessation in fighting was aimed at kickstarting a new round of negotiations, including over the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has blockaded throughout much of the war.
Tehran has insisted it will retain control of the crucial conduit for energy shipments, and has also announced plans to collect fees for passage, which Washington opposes.
Pakistan, which relies on most of its fuel imports from the Middle East, has been trying to broker peace as it reels from higher energy prices, inflationary pressures and has been forced to undertake fuel conservation measures in recent months.
