Pakistan urges restraint as Iran-US conflict enters 10th day

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called on all parties to exercise restraint Tuesday as Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni held talks in Islamabad, even as US airstrikes and Iranian attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz continued for a 10th consecutive day.

"Pakistan will continue to play its role as a mediator," Sharif said during his meeting with Momeni, according to a statement from the prime minister's office.

Brent crude traded near $90 a barrel Tuesday, while US gasoline averaged $4 a gallon, keeping pressure on American consumers ahead of midterm elections this fall. Only three ships transited the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, according to Lloyd's List Intelligence, down from roughly 17 million barrels per day of oil that passed through the waterway before the conflict — about one-fifth of global crude and natural gas trade.

The collapse of the June interim deal between Washington and Tehran has exposed the fragility of Pakistan's dual strategy: deepening military ties with Gulf monarchies while trying to convince Iran it remains an impartial neighbor. Every new defense commitment risks narrowing Islamabad's diplomatic flexibility with a country that shares a nearly 900-kilometer border.

Momeni, who also met Pakistan's army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, arrived as both sides continued to escalate. The US military's Central Command said it targeted "Iranian military command centers, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites and air defense systems." Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard claimed responsibility for an attack on a tanker in the strait off Oman early Tuesday, forcing the crew to abandon the vessel.

Iran also struck US-allied countries across the region. Kuwait's Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy Ministry said Tehran hit desalination and power plants for a fourth straight day, sparking fires and causing damage. Some 90% of Kuwait's drinking water comes from desalination. Jordan's military said it intercepted five Iranian drones and three missiles, while Bahrain sounded missile alert sirens Tuesday afternoon as another barrage targeted the island kingdom, home to the US Navy's 5th Fleet.

Pakistan's Gulf Pivot Carries Economic Rewards and Strategic Risks

Pakistan's outreach to Gulf states is driven by acute economic vulnerability. The country is battling a prolonged balance-of-payments crisis, shrinking foreign exchange reserves and heavy dependence on imported energy. Military cooperation has emerged as one of the few strategic assets Islamabad can still leverage.

Saudi Arabia has already signed a mutual defense agreement with Pakistan, while Kuwait is exploring a broader military partnership covering troops, fighter aircraft, drones and air defense systems, according to Reuters. Bahrain and Jordan are also considering expanded defense cooperation. For cash-strapped Pakistan, closer ties could unlock fresh investments, favorable energy arrangements and greater regional relevance.

But the strategy carries significant risks. Iran has repeatedly warned countries against participating in military arrangements directed against it. The last time bilateral tensions flared — in January 2024 — Iran carried out missile and drone strikes inside Pakistan's Balochistan province, and Pakistan responded with retaliatory strikes inside Iran. A deeper military alignment with Gulf monarchies could add another layer of mistrust to an already sensitive relationship.

Mediation Role Becomes Harder to Sustain

The same day Momeni met with Pakistani officials, Iran continued attacks on Gulf Arab allies of the US, underscoring the challenge Islamabad faces in maintaining credibility as a neutral broker. The interim deal brokered by Pakistan in June collapsed after Iran resumed attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, which was supposed to be reopened under the agreement.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters Sunday that Washington remains open to negotiating with Iran but that "it has to be real." Deep mistrust persists on both sides: Iran came under surprise attack in June 2025 and again in February while it was engaging in nuclear negotiations with the US.

The broader the network of Pakistan's defense agreements becomes, the greater the pressure on its military resources. The country's armed forces remain engaged on multiple fronts — counterterrorism operations along the Afghan border, an ongoing insurgency in Balochistan, and substantial troop deployments along the eastern frontier with India. Any large-scale overseas commitments involving troops, fighter aircraft or air defense systems would have to be balanced against these domestic requirements.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.