Pakistan, Saudi Arabia call for restraint as US-Iran tensions escalate despite Islamabad peace accord
ISLAMABAD: (News Pulse) Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Saturday called for maximum restraint and renewed diplomatic engagement after fresh hostilities erupted between the United States and Iran despite the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which had been aimed at preventing further conflict.
The appeal came during a telephone conversation between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, the Foreign Office said in a statement.
The two leaders reviewed the rapidly deteriorating security situation in the Middle East and expressed deep concern over the renewed escalation following the signing of the Islamabad MoU between Washington and Tehran in June 2026.
According to the Foreign Office, both ministers agreed that the latest conflict benefits no country and threatens regional peace, stability and ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal shared Riyadh’s assessment of ongoing diplomatic initiatives and stressed the need for de-escalation through dialogue and political engagement.
Dar reiterated Pakistan’s consistent position that all parties should exercise maximum restraint, avoid further military action and provide sufficient time and space for mediation efforts to produce a peaceful and lasting solution.
The two foreign ministers also agreed to remain in close coordination as the regional situation continues to evolve.
The latest diplomatic contact comes after an interim ceasefire agreement brokered under the Islamabad MoU failed to hold. The agreement had provided a 60-day framework for negotiations between the United States and Iran aimed at reaching a permanent peace arrangement.
However, indirect negotiations held in Qatar concluded last week without any significant breakthrough.
Days later, the United States launched a fresh wave of military strikes against Iran, prompting Tehran to announce retaliatory attacks on US military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait. Iran also claimed it had shot down a US MQ-9 drone during the operation, while Bahrain later said its armed forces had intercepted the attacks.
Amid rising regional tensions, Pakistan has intensified diplomatic efforts to encourage dialogue and prevent further escalation.
On Friday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held separate telephone conversations with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
During his discussion with President Pezeshkian, the prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace and assured the Iranian leadership that Islamabad would continue playing a sincere and constructive role in supporting diplomatic efforts aimed at restoring stability.
He urged Iran and all other stakeholders to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could undermine the peace gains achieved over recent months.
President Pezeshkian thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, along with Pakistan’s senior leadership, for attending the funeral prayers and burial of the late Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei.
In a separate conversation with Qatar’s emir, Prime Minister Shehbaz expressed Pakistan’s solidarity with Qatar following recent attacks and reiterated concern over the worsening regional security situation.
Both leaders agreed that continued diplomacy, meaningful dialogue and implementation of commitments made under the Islamabad peace memorandum remain essential for preventing further conflict and achieving lasting peace in the Middle East.
Pakistan has consistently advocated dialogue over confrontation and continues to support regional and international efforts aimed at reducing tensions between the United States and Iran.
