- The resumption of the conflict benefits no one: FO.
- Iran says 8 military members killed in US strikes.
- US will hit Iran hard tonight, Trump says.
Mediator Pakistan on Wednesday urged all sides to exercise restraint and respect Islamabad’s Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) after the United States and Iran traded military strikes overnight following attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions in the region and said that the resumption of the conflict does not benefit anyone.
“Pakistan calls on all parties to exercise restraint and refrain from any action that could further undermine regional peace and stability,” the 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 stop the war and open the Strait of Hormuz.
FO’s statement comes hours after Iran said it had attacked US military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait after US forces attacked Iranian targets in response to attacks on oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
The attacks further undermined a fragile ceasefire agreement and dashed hopes of turning the memorandum of understanding signed on June 17 into a permanent peace agreement to end the war, which began with US and Israeli airstrikes against Iran on February 28.
In the statement issued today, the FO said there is no alternative to continued engagement, dialogue and diplomacy to achieve the shared goal of peace in the region.
The Foreign Office said the agreement remains a lasting foundation for understanding, mutual respect and shared prosperity for the region and beyond.
He added that Pakistan remains ready to continue playing its role in this regard.
“The provisional agreement has ended”
Earlier today, President Donald Trump said an interim agreement to end the war with Iran was “over” and that the United States would likely launch new strikes Wednesday night following Iranian attacks on American bases in the Gulf.
Asked before a NATO summit in Turkiye if the memorandum of understanding was over, Trump said: “It’s a very interesting question. To me, I think it’s over. I don’t want to deal with them.”
“They are sick people. They are led by sick people,” he told reporters in Ankara. “As far as I’m concerned, dealing with them is simply a waste of time.”
Although Trump has at times walked back threats he has made against Iran, oil prices rose and stocks fell after his latest comments.
The renewed hostilities have also raised security concerns around the Strait of Hormuz, with maritime data showing that at least four oil and gas tankers had turned back rather than attempting to transit the waterway, a vital supply route.
Oil prices rose and global bond markets plunged. Brent crude futures rose more than 5%, the most in one day since late May, to $78.48 a barrel.
Iran’s state news agency Irna 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 attacks in Bandar Abbas and Bushehr, he added.
