ISLAMABAD: Pakistan, Qatar and other regional mediators have stepped up diplomatic efforts to prevent the collapse of the fragile US-Iran peace process after renewed military exchanges between Washington and Tehran pushed the region closer to another major conflict.
According to a report by Axios, mediators are working to secure an immediate de-escalation before arranging another round of nuclear negotiations between the two sides. A regional official involved in the mediation said the priority is to reduce tensions first and then agree on a date for fresh technical-level talks.
The latest diplomatic push follows a sharp escalation on Thursday, when the United States carried out new airstrikes inside Iran. Tehran responded by targeting US-linked interests across several Gulf countries, with missiles and drones aimed at Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar, raising fears that the recently agreed ceasefire could unravel.
Air raid sirens sounded multiple times in Bahrain, while Kuwait reported intercepting ballistic missiles, a cruise missile and several drones. One person was injured by falling debris. Qatar did not immediately report any damage.
Despite the renewed violence, mediators believe earlier negotiations had produced meaningful progress toward a nuclear agreement and are determined to keep dialogue alive.
Pakistan has played a significant role in the diplomatic process after hosting direct talks between senior American and Iranian officials in Islamabad earlier this year.
Although those discussions did not produce an immediate breakthrough, they laid the foundation for the interim peace arrangement known as the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed last month.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi spoke by telephone on Thursday with Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir. According to Iran’s state news agency IRNA, Araghchi accused Washington of violating the Pakistan-facilitated agreement, saying recent US statements reflected a failure to honour the Islamabad MoU and demonstrated continued hostility.
Pakistan has not officially confirmed the conversation, and neither the government nor the military has issued details regarding the reported contact. Islamabad has maintained a cautious approach throughout the mediation process, keeping most diplomatic engagements confidential.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Health Ministry said two days of US airstrikes killed at least 14 people and injured 78 others, with most of the casualties reported among military personnel.
The US Central Command said it struck 90 military targets across Iran, releasing footage that appeared to show attacks on missile launch sites and airport infrastructure. Washington said the operation was aimed at reducing Iran’s ability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy route.
Shipping activity through the strategic waterway has gradually recovered since last month’s temporary peace arrangement. According to maritime data firm Lloyd’s List Intelligence, around 576 vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz in June, compared with 233 in May, though traffic remains well below levels recorded before the conflict.
