{
  "id": 11340223,
  "title": "Islamabad hints at cautious shift on US sanctions against Iran",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/islamabad-hints-at-cautious-shift-on-us-sanctions-against-iran-11340223",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-02T02:22:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn",
    "slug": "dawn",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2034164/islamabad-hints-at-cautious-shift-on-us-sanctions-against-iran"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Islamabad has hinted at a cautious approach regarding the recently imposed US sanctions on Iran, signaling that it will adhere to all applicable sanctions regimes under international and domestic law. Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan emphasized during a media briefing that Pakistan is a responsible member of the international community and will continue to adhere to these regulations. While the spokesperson did not define what constitutes \"applicable\" sanctions, the shift in stance is noteworthy. Previously, the Foreign Office spokesperson, Tahir Andrabi, had stated that Pakistan followed international law and its bilateral trade agreements with Iran when it came to trade. The broader formulation now includes \"all applicable sanctions regimes\" and \"domestic law,\" which does not imply that US unilateral sanctions automatically become legally binding for Pakistan. However, it acknowledges the potential financial consequences for Pakistani banks and companies that operate within the international financial system and rely on access to dollar clearing, correspondent banking, and financial messaging networks, such as SWIFT. The new Foreign Office formulation provides Islamabad with the flexibility to consider these risks without explicitly accepting the US unilateral sanctions as legally binding. Pakistan's domestic banking regulations and foreign exchange controls may allow the government to restrict or limit Iran-related transactions based on its domestic requirements. The State Bank of Pakistan's trade mechanism with Iran specifically requires clarity that transactions with Iran do not involve entities subject to international sanctions. Despite the new stance, Pakistan has not suspended trade with Iran or joined the US sanctions campaign. The spokesperson also sought to reaffirm Pakistan's relationship with Washington, emphasizing its enduring and multifaceted strategic partnership with the United States. The country reaffirmed its commitment to multilateralism and the rule of international law, stating that it remains in constant and constructive communication with all relevant stakeholders. Pakistan will continue urging both the US and Iran to exercise restraint and resolve their differences through diplomatic means, emphasizing that dialogue and diplomacy are the only viable pathways to resolving the conflict peacefully.",
  "summary": "ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday signalled a cautious shift in its approach to the newly imposed US sanctions on Iran, saying it would adhere to “all applicable sanctions regimes” under international and domestic law, a formulation that goes beyond Islamabad’s earlier emphasis on international law and bilateral trade commitments with Tehran. “Pakistan is a responsible member of the international…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Techmeme",
        "title": "The US sanctions Russia-backed payment network A7, freezing its US assets and accusing it of enabling Iran and its proxy groups to evade western sanctions (Amy Mackinnon/Financial Times)",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/the-us-sanctions-russia-backed-payment-network-a7-freezing-its-us",
        "published": "2026-10-01T22:35:01.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Times of Israel",
        "title": "US sanctions target Iran’s auto, rail sectors as blockade chokes shipping lanes",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/us-sanctions-target-irans-auto-rail-sectors-as-blockade-chokes",
        "published": "2026-10-01T23:29:07.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn - Pakistan",
        "title": "Islamabad hints at cautious shift on US sanctions against Iran",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/islamabad-hints-at-cautious-shift-on-us-sanctions-against-iran",
        "published": "2026-10-02T02:22:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}