The top diplomats of Pakistan and Oman issued a joint call on Thursday urging all parties to uphold the fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran while maintaining strict respect for international law, according to an official statement released by Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The bilateral appeal was made during a high-level meeting between Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his Omani counterpart, Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, held on the sidelines of the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum ministerial gathering in the Philippine capital of Manila.
During their bilateral discussions, the two foreign ministers exchanged comprehensive views on the rapidly evolving regional and international security developments, with a primary focus on the volatile situation in the Middle East. Both diplomats expressed grave concern over recent military escalations, emphasizing that sustained diplomatic engagement, adherence to international norms, and mutual restraint are essential to preventing further conflict and achieving lasting peace and stability across the region. The consultation between the two Asian nations comes against a backdrop of heightened regional volatility following extended military exchanges that threatened global shipping channels, international energy security, and regional civil infrastructure.
The urgency of the joint statement highlights the fragile nature of regional diplomatic efforts after the United States and Iran previously engaged in twelve consecutive days of retaliatory military strikes before signing a landmark diplomatic framework last month. The peace framework, formally known as the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, was successfully mediated by Pakistani diplomats in an effort to bring an end to active hostilities and establish a durable mechanism for conflict resolution. However, recent security friction surrounding strategic maritime corridors, including the Strait of Hormuz, has renewed international anxieties about the longevity of the agreement and raised fears of renewed widespread confrontation.
In addition to his meeting with the Omani foreign minister, Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a series of separate high-level diplomatic sessions with other global leaders attending the summit in Manila, including Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters. During these discussions, the foreign ministers jointly reiterated their shared concern over the recent escalation of force in the Middle East. The officials collectively stressed that institutionalized dialogue, diplomatic negotiations, and uncompromising respect for international law remain the only viable foundation for establishing long-term security and peaceful co-existence.
Both Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters expressed formal appreciation for Pakistan's constructive and proactive role as a diplomatic mediator in promoting channel-to-channel communication, facilitating de-escalation, and reducing systemic risks during the intense conflict between Washington and Tehran. Foreign delegates at the ASEAN Regional Forum recognized Islamabad's continued efforts to engage key regional actors, including recent bilateral talks with representatives from Egypt, Kuwait, and Iran, aimed at safeguarding sovereignty, protecting civilian populations, and preventing broader economic disruptions affecting global trade routes.
As the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum continues its proceedings in Manila, participating member states and international dialogue partners have consistently underscored the necessity of protecting freedom of navigation, upholding existing ceasefire agreements, and utilizing multilateral platforms to resolve deep-seated geopolitical rivalries through quiet diplomacy rather than armed confrontation. Both Pakistani and Omani officials reaffirmed their shared intention to maintain close coordination with international partners to support peacebuilding initiatives and ensure that diplomatic commitments made under the Islamabad memorandum are fully respected and preserved.
