FO says negotiations 'ongoing'

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan confirmed on Thursday that negotiations between the US and Iran were "ongoing" during a flare-up in fighting across the Middle East.

"Negotiations between parties are ongoing, particularly on (the) Strait of Hormuz and to de-escalate," Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi told reporters in Islamabad.

Addressing his weekly news briefing, the spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said, "We are doing our utmost to bring the parties back to the Islamabad MOU so that all irritants can be removed in the light of the Islamabad MOU and the Pakistan-Qatar Joint Statement of June 22."

He said negotiations between the parties were continuing to normalise the situation, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, and to support de-escalation.

"The negotiations between the parties are ongoing to normalise the situation, particularly the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, and as well as to de-escalate," he said.

Reiterating Pakistan's position, Andrabi said, "We note with concern that the security situation remains precarious, despite the relative calm of the past few days, which had rekindled hopes that this positive development, this calm, would consolidate into a durable and fully respected ceasefire and pave the way for dialogue."

He added, "Amid the prevailing tensions and hostilities, Pakistan reiterates that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable path forward. We welcome all efforts aimed at sustaining cessation of hostilities and resumption of dialogue between Iran and the United States. Pakistan is engaged and will continue to play its role in this regard."

Calling for restraint, the spokesperson said, "We encourage the parties to exercise maximum restraint and fully adhere to their commitment to resume technical-level talks for the implementation of the Islamabad MOU in line with the Pakistan-Qatar Joint Statement of June 21, 2026."