Pakistan is making diplomatic efforts to help extend the ceasefire between the United States and Iran, as the current truce is scheduled to expire on Sunday, August 16.
Sources said Islamabad is trying to use the understanding reached under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding to encourage both sides to maintain the ceasefire and return to negotiations.
According to the sources, mediators believe additional time is needed to bridge differences between Washington and Tehran. Diplomatic efforts are therefore continuing to prevent the situation from deteriorating after the current ceasefire period ends.
However, an Iranian senior official gave a different assessment of the situation. The official said there have been no discussions between Iran and the United States regarding an extension of the ceasefire.
Iran has maintained that Washington must return to the agreement and honour its previous commitments. Tehran has also demanded a clear and credible timeline for the implementation of those commitments before any further understanding can be reached.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has made strong statements about the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Trump claimed that the United States now has complete control over the vital waterway and said Iran has limited options to challenge the American naval blockade.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a major international shipping route and plays a crucial role in global energy supplies. Any prolonged disruption in the waterway could have serious consequences for oil and gas markets and international trade.
Iranian military officials have warned that a renewed US offensive could lead to a wider confrontation. An Iranian military spokesman said energy transmission networks, power plants and infrastructure connected to the global internet could become targets if American military action resumes.
The warning has raised concerns that any collapse of the ceasefire could expand the conflict beyond conventional military targets and affect critical infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed hope that additional countries will join the Makkah Defence Agreement. He indicated that broader participation could strengthen regional security cooperation.
In another development, US Central Command said a Panama-flagged cargo vessel attempting to breach the naval blockade was disabled after a US helicopter fired a missile at the ship.
The incident has further highlighted the risks facing commercial shipping in the region amid continuing tensions between Washington and Tehran.
Separately, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi discussed the situation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in a telephone conversation.
Takaichi called for the Strait of Hormuz to be reopened once negotiations between Iran and the United States reach a successful conclusion.
