Pakistan said on Thursday it would encourage the United States and Iran to stop violence and resume talks under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) it helped mediate last month.

“While the implementation of the MoU is facing challenges, Pakistan will continue to encourage all sides to end violence and resume technical-level talks in accordance with the MoU,” Tahir Andrabi, Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesman told reporters in Islamabad.

“We express the hope for an early normalization of the situation in Strait of Hormuz and underscore the importance of ensuring the continued safety, security and freedom of maritime navigation,” he added.

Earlier, Pakistan’s top diplomat called for “de-escalation” and for parties in the Iran conflict to “show restraint” during a phone call with his Iranian counterpart.

“Both leaders exchanged views on the evolving regional situation,” Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement after the call between Ishaq Dar and Abbas Araghchi.

Dar “further underscored that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable path to resolving disputes and achieving lasting peace and stability in the region”, it said.

Tehran on Thursday accused the United States of carrying out a “barbaric attack” after a cancer hospital in Iran’s southwest was forced to evacuate due to nearby strikes.

“This barbaric attack, reminiscent of Israel’s atrocities against healthcare facilities, caused severe suffering and anxiety among the hospitalized children,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei posted on X, saying “211 patients undergoing chemotherapy” were evacuated. (AFP)