Mediators make fresh contacts with US, Iran to halt further military strikes: Pakistani sources

Pakistan and Qatar have made new connections with the US and Iran to prevent any further military strikes and come back to the negotiating table “as per agreement,” according to Pakistani government officials quoted by Anadolu Agency on Thursday.

"Pakistan, along with Qatar, is in contact with Washington and Tehran to convince the two parties to stop hostilities and move towards talks as per agreement," an official who was aware of the mediation efforts told Anadolu.

The official was talking about the MoU signed between the US and Iranian presidents in Islamabad recently. This MoU has been signed giving both sides 60 days to come up with an agreement to end their war once and for all.

The latest development followed a fresh round of strikes between the two sides after Iran hit a cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz with its missiles.

"The deal is over," US President Donald Trump stated in his tweet on Wednesday concerning the Islamabad MoU.

Nevertheless, according to the sources, Pakistan continues being confident about the Islamabad MoU remaining valid in spite of new hostility.

"What is currently taking place is not surprising at all due to the fact that the problems between them are chronic and very complicated," the source explained.

"Still, Pakistan is quite sure that the current situation will not lead to a war," the source added saying that "both parties fully understand that the war would not be beneficial for either side."

"One cannot rule out future clashes because of the nature of issues between them," the source concluded.

The governments of Pakistan and Qatar have contacted both the US and Iran in order to stop military attacks and start negotiations again "as per agreement."