Pakistan voices concern over escalating Middle East tensions, calls for restraint

Islamabad, July 13: Pakistan expressed deep concern over the renewed escalation of tensions in the Middle East, urging all parties to exercise maximum restraint and honour their commitments under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The appeal came amid reports of intensified missile and drone exchanges between the United States and Iran, with Tehran reportedly targeting US facilities across Gulf states and announcing the renewed closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The latest developments have raised concerns over the future of the interim US-Iran Islamabad MoU, signed last month to facilitate the reopening of the vital waterway and support continued negotiations aimed at ending hostilities.

In a statement, the Foreign Office reaffirmed Pakistan’s consistent support for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all brotherly countries in the region. It stressed that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable means of resolving disputes and called on all sides to avoid actions that could further destabilize the region and undermine ongoing peace efforts.