Pakistan rejects unilateral US sanctions against Iran, pledges continued trade with Tehran

Pakistan has reaffirmed its commitment to bilateral trade with Iran in accordance with international law, saying it will not abide by unilateral US sanctions against Tehran.

Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi made the remarks during his weekly press briefing in Islamabad on Thursday, while responding to IRNA about the US economic war against Iran. 

Pakistan has consistently rejected unilateral measures and does not accept unilateral sanctions, he said.

He added that such sanctions have negative consequences, and Pakistan does not recognize them under international law.

The spokesman described the economic war against Iran as part of the broader conflict between Tehran and Washington, stressing the importance of solving issues through diplomacy and dialogue.

Andrabi reiterated Pakistan’s serious determination and commitment to continue trade with Iran in accordance with agreements between the two countries.

The Pakistani diplomat’s remarks came after the United States on Monday unveiled the new wave of illegal sanctions against Iran under the so-called “Operation Economic Outcast,” threatening secondary penalties against any country or entity maintaining trade ties with Tehran in a failed attempt to achieve through economic coercion what its military aggression could not.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the new "economic terrorism" campaign, absurdly comparing it to the D-Day Normandy landings of World War II.

Bessent claimed the measures target Iran’s financial networks worldwide and warned that no partner is beyond Washington’s reach.

He said the Trump administration has identified entities dealing with Iran and will impose deadlines for them to cut ties or face exclusion from the US dollar system.

China rejects US threats of 'illegal, unilateral sanctions' against countries trading with Iran

China says its cooperation with Iran is conducted in accordance with international law and should not be disrupted.

Meanwhile, China has also opposed US threats of sanctions against countries trading with Iran, saying Beijing's cooperation with Tehran is conducted in accordance with international law and should not be disrupted.

Pakistan confident of constructive outcome on Hormuz Strait

Asked about the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and regional efforts to help resolve issues pertaining to the strategic waterway, Andrabi said Islamabad was confident that ongoing bids would soon yield constructive results.

He, however, noted that a resolution ultimately depends on Iran and the United States as the two sides involved in the negotiations.

Iran restricted transit through the Strait of Hormuz in response to the illegal US-Israeli aggression on the country that began on February 28 and came to a halt under a ceasefire on April 8.‌

The US attempted to undermine Iran’s sovereignty over the vital global energy chokepoint by establishing an unsafe corridor near the Omani shores.

The US also resumed its aerial assaults on Iran and imposed a naval blockade of the country in violation of the war-ending deal despite a Pakistan-brokered memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the two sides on June 17

The unlawful US measures prompted Iran to declare the Strait of Hormuz closed to all traffic.

The Islamic Republic has stressed that the reopening of the critical waterway depends on US compliance with its obligations under the MoU.

Pakistan rejects claims about Munir’s Tehran visit as US envoy

The spokesman also rejected media speculation about the nature of a visit by Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir, to Tehran on Monday, saying the trip took place within the framework of bilateral relations and regional peace diplomacy.

Andrabi dismissed claims that the Pakistani army chief had traveled to Iran as an envoy of US President Donald Trump, calling such speculation incorrect.

He noted that Munir held highly constructive talks with senior Iranian officials in Tehran, emphasizing that the visit showed Islamabad’s strong commitment to help find a way out of the regional crisis.

He added that Pakistan continues its contact with its brotherly countries and partners, asserting that all of his country’s efforts are focused on resolving the Iran-US deadlock and advancing diplomacy for peace.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.ir