• Asks US, Iran to uphold ‘respective commitments’ under Islamabad MoU
• Dar tells Iranian counterpart dialogue ‘only viable path’ to resolving disputes, advises restraint

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Sunday expressed its “deep concern” over the ongoing escalation in the Middle East and urged all sides to exercise restraint after the United States and Iran traded fresh strikes, with Gulf countries also coming under attack.

In a statement, the Foreign Office said Pakistan was “following with deep concern the recent incidents that are further escalating the regional tensions”.

“Pakistan reiterates its strong support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all brotherly countries in the region, and urges all sides to exercise restraint, take immediate steps towards de-escalation, and uphold respective commitments under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU),” the statement read.

“On its part, Pakistan remains committed to providing all support towards achieving lasting peace and stability in the region through dialogue and diplomacy,” it affirmed. Earlier in the day, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a telephone call with Iran’s FM Abbas Araghchi and discussed the evolving regional situation. FM Dar stressed “upon the parties to follow the path of de-escalation and show restraint, as agreed in the Islamabad MoU”, the FO said in a statement. He emphasised that dialogue and diplomacy were the “only viable path to resolving disputes and achieving lasting peace and stability in the region”.

“DPM/FM reiterated Pakistan’s readiness to continue playing a constructive role in promoting and maintaining regional peace and stability. The two leaders agreed to remain in close contact,” the FO statement added. Pakistan has been leading the peace efforts since the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28, setting off a war and global fuel crisis as Tehran took measures to disrupt traffic in the Strait of Hormuz — a vital maritime corridor for the supply of oil and gas.

The Pakistan-mediated Islamabad MoU — a 14-point interim peace deal aimed at ending the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz — was signed between the US and Iran on June 18.

Published in Dawn, July 13th, 2026