Pakistan working with partners to defuse Hormuz stand-off: FO

Islamabad has reaffirmed its active engagement in efforts to defuse tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, alongside regional partners including Oman, according to Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi. The government is examining the terms of reference and operational modalities of a Saudi-led maritime coalition, while acknowledging different regional actors are taking the lead on various aspects of the diplomatic process.

Oman is currently leading negotiations with Iran over the future management of navigation through the strait, under Article 5 of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by Tehran and Washington. High-level negotiations have resulted in progress, including agreement on a proposed shipping route, though differences persist on operational control and service charges.

Andrabi emphasized that Pakistan remains integral to the diplomatic effort, alongside Qatar and other brotherly countries, with the focus on securing the implementation of political understandings and not specific crisis manifestations such as the current blockade. The Saudi-led maritime coalition, announced on July 30 following a meeting in Riyadh, is still in an evolving stage, and Pakistan is consulting military authorities about its future modalities.