Anwar warns US-Iran escalation risks wider Middle East war
PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has warned that the latest US-Iran strikes could drag the wider Middle East into an even more destructive war, urging both sides to immediately halt further escalation and return to diplomacy. In a strongly wor...
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi expressed optimism on Wednesday, despite recent tensions between the US and Iran. Pakistan remains committed to pursuing dialogue and diplomacy to bring an end to the ongoing conflict that originated with US-Israeli strikes on Iran in February. Pakistan has played a crucial role in mediating the situation, signing the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding as a mediator in June, and facilitating a ceasefire between the US and Iran in April.
However, sporadic attacks, particularly near the Strait of Hormuz, have cast doubt on the prospects of a permanent peace agreement. Andrabi highlighted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit to discuss the regional situation, emphasizing Pakistan's dedication to peace through restraint, dialogue, and diplomacy.
Additionally, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar engaged in discussions with Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, and Prime Minister Sharif and President Pezeshkian further deliberated on Middle East and Gulf matters in Istanbul during the Makkah summit. Field Marshal Asim Munir, the Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, visited Tehran last week to focus on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, promoting de-escalation, and exploring a negotiated settlement as part of Pakistan's diplomatic efforts.
Written by urgent.news from Dawn's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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