| Status | Interim Peace Agreement (Islamabad MoU) |
| Key Conflict | Strait of Hormuz / Regional Infrastructure |
| Date | July 2026 |
Pakistan and Kuwait Demand Adherence to the Islamabad MoU
Pakistan and Kuwait have urged the United States and Iran to exercise restraint and honor the “Islamabad MoU” following a surge in military strikes on civilian infrastructure this week. The interim peace agreement, signed between Tehran and Washington last month, faces collapse as both nations continue to exchange fire, threatening regional stability and shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Diplomatic Pressure and the ‘Islamabad MoU’
The recent diplomatic push follows a telephone conversation held on Saturday between Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. During the call, both leaders discussed recent developments in West Asia. Kuwait’s Foreign Minister expressed serious concern regarding the attacks on his country and appealed to all parties to exercise restraint and fully implement the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Ishaq Dar and Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Coordinate Mediation Efforts
The agreement was signed last month following widespread bombing initiated by the United States and Israel in late February. The interim deal included a ceasefire and the reopening of waterways. Technical-level talks began following the signing, with the objective of reaching a permanent peace agreement within 60 days. However, the process stalled after the United States and Iran resumed strikes against each other’s military and infrastructure bases last week.
During a weekly press briefing on July 16, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi acknowledged the challenges facing the interim peace deal. Andrabi stated, Pakistan appeals again to all sides to exercise maximum restraint and avoid any action that could lead to further instability.
Escalation in the Strait of Hormuz and Civilian Infrastructure
António Guterres Warns Against Attacks on Civilian Infrastructure
The conflict has intensified, with both nations conducting new strikes on military and infrastructure targets as of Saturday. Kuwaiti authorities reported on Friday that an Iranian strike caused damage to a power and water desalination plant. The assessment of the damage remains ongoing, and Kuwait has been impacted by recent attacks.
The United Nations has expressed deep alarm regarding these developments. On July 15, UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern over the escalating conflict in the Middle East. UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric stated that Guterres urged all parties to take immediate steps to de-escalate and return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy. Guterres emphasized that a full-scale resumption of hostilities would cause severe harm to civilians and have devastating consequences for international peace, security, and the global economy.
UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq stated: The Secretary-General is particularly concerned about attacks on civilian infrastructure in Iran and other parts of the region. Such attacks are unacceptable.
Military Stance and Shipping Rights
The military deadlock shows no signs of easing. On July 15, the United States military announced that it had completed its latest strike against Iranian targets. These hostilities have caused the movement of commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz to come to a near-standstill. The waterway is critical, as it accounts for a significant portion of the world’s oil and gas supply.
Secretary-General Guterres has called for the full restoration of international freedom of navigation in and around the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing that the exercise of these rights must be respected by all parties in accordance with international law.
Regional Stability and the Role of Mediation
Bashir Ali Abbas and Chandan Singh Rajput Evaluate the Islamabad MoU
The role of Pakistan in this mediation has been noted by observers. In an opinion piece published on July 18, 2026, Bashir Ali Abbas and Chandan Singh Rajput noted that Pakistan has not acted as a traditional mediator in this dispute. Unlike Oman, which possesses long-standing experience, Pakistan’s involvement remains in its early stages. The “Islamabad MoU” reached on June 17-18 is currently under heavy pressure.
As of July 18, 2026, the ongoing war has returned to levels seen in March 2026. While the immediate focus remains on de-escalation, it remains to be seen whether the global energy economy will force Washington and Tehran to return to the negotiating table if ground military operations are avoided. For now, the technical process intended to secure a permanent peace within 60 days remains suspended due to the renewed hostilities.
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