Pakistan urges the United States and Iran to resume talks

Pakistan on Thursday called on the United States and Iran to end violence and resume negotiations stipulated in a memorandum of understanding signed last month under Islamabad’s mediation.

Tareen Andrabi, spokesperson for the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told the press, “Although the implementation of the memorandum of understanding faces difficulties, Pakistan will continue to encourage all parties to end violence and resume technical discussions in accordance with the provisions of the memorandum.”

He added, “We express our hope that conditions will quickly return to normal in the Strait of Hormuz, and we emphasize the importance of ensuring the safety, security, and freedom of navigation at all times.”

Iran and the United States resumed mutual strikes on July 7 following attacks on ships in the Gulf that were attributed to Iran.

These unprecedented strikes since the April ceasefire have not yet targeted oil and gas facilities in the Gulf.

The attacks undermined the memorandum of understanding signed in mid-June, which was supposed to end hostilities.

Iran re-closed the Strait of Hormuz at the end of last week, vowing to keep it closed until the end of US “hostilities.”

Navigation traffic in the Strait of Hormuz slowed down after attacks targeted several oil tankers.

Pakistan acknowledged an “urgent need” to address the situation, which negatively affects “global energy supplies” as well as “trade and food security,” according to Andrabi.