Pakistan Defense Minister: Islamabad Continues Efforts for Understanding Between Tehran and Washington

Afghan Voice Agency (AVA) - International Service: In an interview with Geo News Network, Pakistan Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif acknowledged that Islamabad faces a very complex diplomatic challenge in its mediation efforts to end the war in West Asia. He described Pakistan's position as "walking on a razor's edge" given the country's close relations with Iran on the one hand and the Gulf states involved in the conflict on the other.

 

The Pakistani defense minister stressed that Islamabad has “brotherly relations” with all parties and should carefully assess how far it can go in any further mediation efforts and whether it can refrain from taking steps that may further complicate its diplomatic position. Asif added that Pakistan is trying to create an environment that will help reduce tensions in the region and has been in touch with both sides indirectly for this purpose.

 

These remarks come as Pakistan’s mediation efforts led to the signing of the “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding” in June 2026, which provided a 60-day window for negotiations on issues including Iran’s nuclear program. However, the Pakistani defense minister noted that the memorandum of understanding has been met with violations of commitments by the United States and has not been implemented in practice.

 

Despite the end of the 60-day window, Asif said, the exchange of messages between the two sides continues through mediators such as Pakistan, Qatar and Oman. The Pakistani Defense Minister also emphasized that Israel wants the conflict between Iran and the United States to continue, but peace will be established in the region and Israel "will be forced to pay the price."