Islamabad: Pakistan has adopted a measured stance following the USs' intensified economic campaign against Iran, stating that it will adhere to international law while hoping economic disputes are resolved through a broader settlement of the US-Iran conflict.
Speaking at a weekly media briefing on Thursday, Foreign Office (FO)spokesperson Tahir Andrabi stressed that Pakistan’s bilateral trade with Iran remains compliant with international obligations and existing bilateral agreements.
The FO’s response comes days after Washington announced "Operation Economic Outcast," a sanctions campaign launched by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to increase economic pressure on Iran. The measures expand secondary sanctions risk across shipping, aviation, technology, gold, and digital assets, threatening non-compliant entities with exclusion from the US financial system.
Rather than directly confronting the measures, Islamabad anchored its position in international law and existing bilateral commitments, echoing similar stances taken by China and Qatar. Pakistan expressed hope that economic matters would be settled in the long run through diplomatic negotiations, emphasiSing its continued role as a mediator between Washington and Tehran.
Addressing maritime security, Mr Andrabi noted positive developments regarding the Strait of Hormuz. He stated that recent diplomatic engagement by Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir aimed to generate momentum toward reopening the waterway, following the breakdown of the Islamabad MoU.
However, the spokesperson clarified that final decisions rest with Washington and Tehran. He also pushed back against reports suggesting Field Marshal Munir travelled to Tehran at the behest or request of the US president, dismissing the claims as misleading and factually incorrect.
