Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has called on the United States and Iran to uphold commitments made under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, a 14-point interim peace agreement that Pakistan helped broker between the two nations.
The MoU was signed electronically on 17-18 June this year, with Pakistan serving as the primary mediator. In remarks made during a meeting with Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev in Islamabad, Zardari urged both countries to exercise restraint and resolve differences through dialogue and diplomacy.
Zardari emphasised the importance of maintaining safe maritime navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea. He warned that ongoing conflict between the US and Iran poses serious challenges to regional stability, global energy security, trade flows and supply chains.
The Pakistani president stressed the need to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states. His office released a statement outlining these positions following the meeting with Kolokoltsev, who is conducting a four-day official visit to Pakistan. The visit marks the first by a Russian interior minister to the South Asian country.
Pakistan's mediation role reflects its stated interest in de-escalation between the two regional and global powers. The country has positioned itself as a neutral player capable of facilitating dialogue on matters affecting regional security and commerce.