Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said Islamabad, in the wake of heightened tensions between the Islamic Republic and the United States, has asked all parties, including Tehran, to exercise maximum restraint and refrain from actions that could threaten peace and stability in the region.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said at his weekly press briefing that Islamabad is deeply concerned about the increase in tensions in the region and is calling for an immediate reduction in hostilities and for the parties to return to the negotiating table.

He said that Shahbaz Sharif, Pakistan’s prime minister, recently in a phone conversation with Masoud Pezeshkian asked the Islamic Republic and other sides to show restraint and “to refrain from any action that could endanger the difficult peace agreement that has been reached over the past two or three weeks.”

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that Islamabad believes there is no alternative to sustained engagement, dialogue, and diplomacy in achieving peace and stability.

He also said that in recent days Islamabad has held consultations with various countries in the region, including Qatar and Saudi Arabia, to support diplomatic efforts and reduce tensions.