- Renewed conflict is in nobody’s interest: FO.
- Iran says 8 army members killed in US strikes.
- The US will hit Iran hard tonight, says Trump.
Mediator Pakistan on Wednesday urged all parties to exercise restraint and uphold the Islamabad 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 renewed conflict is not in anyone’s interest.
“Pakistan calls on all parties to exercise restraint and refrain from any action that may further undermine regional peace and stability,” the FO said.
Last month, the United States and Iran reached a 14-point interim agreement titled the “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States” to end the war and open the Strait of Hormuz.
The FO statement comes hours after Iran said it had attacked US military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait after US forces struck Iranian targets in response to attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
The attacks further undermined a shaky cease-fire agreement and dampened hopes of turning the memorandum of understanding signed on June 17 into a permanent peace agreement to end the war, which began with US-Israeli airstrikes on 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 common goal of peace in the region.
The State Department said the agreement remains an enduring foundation of understanding, mutual respect and shared prosperity for the region and beyond.
It added that Pakistan remains ready to continue playing its role in this regard.
‘Interim agreement is over’
Earlier today, President Donald Trump said an interim deal to end the war with Iran was “over” and that the United States was likely to launch new strikes on Wednesday night after Iranian attacks on US bases in the Gulf.
Asked before a Nato summit in Turkiye whether 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 just a waste of time.”
Although Trump has at times backed away from threats he has made against Iran, oil prices rose and stocks fell after his latest remarks.
The renewed hostilities have also increased safety and security around the Strait of Hormuz, with shipping data showing that at least four oil and gas tankers had turned back rather than attempt to pass the waterway, a vital supply route.
Oil prices rose and global bond markets fell. Brent crude futures rose more than 5%, the most in a day since late May, to $78.48 a barrel. 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 strikes in Bandar Abbas and Bushehr, it added.
