Pakistan Calls for Restraint as US-Iran Tensions Deepen

Dawn

The flags of US, Iran and Pakistan.

Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, has reportedly held talks with Iranian leaders in an effort to ease rapidly escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington. According to sources, Islamabad urged both sides to exercise maximum restraint and honour the commitments set out in the memorandum of understanding signed between them.

The diplomatic effort comes as tensions between the United States and Iran continue to rise following US strikes on more than 80 targets inside Iran. Tehran has claimed it responded with retaliatory attacks and warned it could fully close the Strait of Hormuz if subjected to further US military action.

In a statement, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry expressed deep concern over the worsening regional security situation, warning that renewed conflict would serve no one's interests. It called on all parties to avoid actions that could further inflame tensions or undermine regional peace and stability.

The ministry stressed that dialogue, diplomacy and continued engagement remain the only viable path to lasting peace. It also urged all sides to uphold their commitments under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, describing it as a strong foundation for mutual understanding, mutual respect and regional prosperity. Pakistan reaffirmed its readiness to continue supporting diplomatic efforts.

US President Donald Trump said he believed the latest escalation would "end quickly" and expressed confidence that the confrontation would not develop into a broader war. However, he warned that Washington was prepared to launch further military action if Iran continued targeting commercial shipping, saying the recent US strikes were carried out in response to attacks on three merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

Despite his firm stance, Trump indicated that the United States remained open to resuming negotiations should Tehran choose to return to the negotiating table. Referring to the ceasefire agreement, he said: "I think it's over."

The US president accused Iran of violating the agreement, described Iranian officials as "deceitful", and claimed that US military operations had destroyed Iran's air force.

On Thursday, US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that American forces had completed another round of strikes against Iranian military targets on Wednesday, 8 July, aimed at reducing Tehran's ability to threaten commercial shipping and civilian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

According to CENTCOM, approximately 90 military targets were struck, including air defence systems, coastal surveillance facilities, missile and drone storage sites, naval assets and logistical infrastructure along Iran's coastline.

The command said the latest operation followed a previous wave of strikes on 7 July, when around 80 Iranian military targets—including more than 60 vessels belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)—were hit in what Washington described as a response to attacks on three commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, which it said breached the ceasefire agreement.

CENTCOM added that US forces remain on full operational alert and are prepared to carry out any further missions ordered by the Commander-in-Chief.

Meanwhile, Iran's Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said the Strait of Hormuz would only reopen under "Iranian arrangements" following the recent exchange of military strikes between Tehran and Washington.

Speaking to X-TV, Ghalibaf said the United States had yet to learn that "intimidation and broken promises no longer go unanswered", adding: "Let me be clear: if you strike, you will be struck."


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