Iran Seeks Pakistan Mediation to Salvage Collapsed Peace Deal With the U.S.

Diplomatic Push in Islamabad to Salvage the Interim Deal

Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday for high-level meetings with military and political leadership. The visit marks a critical attempt by Islamabad and Doha to rescue the memorandum of understanding signed last month, which was intended to stabilize relations and end months of conflict between Tehran and Washington. According to Apnews, Momeni held closed-door negotiations with Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, and was scheduled to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The urgency of these talks follows a joint de-escalation proposal drafted by Pakistan and Qatar. As reported by AA, the proposal calls for both nations to return to their pre-July 9 position as a necessary first step to halt the current violence. The formula includes a two-week ceasefire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and the lifting of U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil sales.

Military Exchanges and Infrastructure Strikes

Despite the diplomatic activity, the conflict on the ground remains intense. The U.S. military’s Central Command confirmed it conducted a new round of airstrikes targeting Iranian military command centers, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites and air defense systems. Meanwhile, Iranian state media reported explosions across five provinces: Fars, Hormozgan, Ilam, Kerman, and Sistan and Baluchistan, The Globe and Mail reported.

The conflict has increasingly targeted civilian infrastructure. The Kuwaiti government reported that power and desalination plants were struck for the fourth straight day on Monday. Desalination is a vital resource for the nation, providing 90% of its drinking water.

Strait of Hormuz and Global Energy Market Volatility

Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has largely stalled. The British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center reported that a tanker was forced to abandon ship after an attack early Tuesday off the coast of Oman.

The persistent disruption in the strait—a corridor through which roughly one-fifth of global crude oil and natural gas previously passed—has driven energy prices upward. Benchmark Brent crude was trading at nearly $90 a barrel on Tuesday, while average U.S. gasoline prices have climbed to $4 per gallon. This economic pressure is a significant factor as the U.S. approaches midterm elections this fall.

Stakes for Future Negotiations

A deep sense of skepticism remains regarding the viability of a new agreement. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the U.S. remains open to negotiations, provided they are real. However, the current U.S. stance, voiced by President Donald Trump, is that the previous memorandum is essentially defunct. Trump warned that the U.S. would hold Iran accountable for aggression, particularly following the deaths of American soldiers.

The U.S. State Department has issued a new warning to citizens abroad, stating that Iran and groups supportive of Iran may target other U.S. interests overseas or at locations associated with the United States and Americans throughout the world. As the conflict stretches into its second week, the success of the Pakistani-Qatari mediation depends on whether either side is willing to accept the proposed return to pre-July 9 positions or if the cycle of military retaliation will continue to override diplomatic efforts.