TEHRAN, Iran: Mediators are making fresh efforts to revive the Pakistan-brokered Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that halted the war between the United States and Iran in June, an Iranian lawmaker said on Sunday.
Hassan Ghashghavi, spokesman for the Iranian parliament’s National Security Commission, said mediators were continuing efforts to revive the agreement, which was brokered by Pakistan and Qatar and signed following talks held in Islamabad.
“There is an effort underway to revive the 14-point Islamabad agreement, particularly by the mediators,” Ghashghavi said in a video interview.
“They know that the main issue and, in fact, the key to the matter right now is the issue of the Strait of Hormuz, so yes, there is an exchange of views,” he added.
حسن قشقاوی، سخنگوی کمیسیون امنیت ملی و سیاست خارجی مجلس شورای اسلامی، یکشنبه یازدهم مردادماه گفت وقفههای ایجادشده به بهانه مذاکره یا توقف آتش، به نفع نیروهای مسلح بوده و این فرصتها امکان بازسازی و تقویت توان نظامی را فراهم کرده است.
او افزود: «گاهی مطرح میشود که دیپلماسی به… pic.twitter.com/gzZzdjTdQK— independentpersian (@indypersian) August 2, 2026
The Iranian lawmaker also said there was a “constant exchange of views and discussion over proposals” but did not elaborate further.
Trump pauses US strikes on Iran
The remarks came a day after US President Donald Trump announced that the United States and Israel had agreed to postpone any planned military action against Iran, provided an agreement to end months of conflict could be reached quickly.
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Saturday, Trump said Washington remained fully prepared to launch military operations if diplomacy failed.
“The USA is locked and loaded and ready to go against the Islamic Republic of Iran, at levels of military strength and power not seen since the Second World War,” the US President wrote.
Trump said he had nevertheless agreed to suspend any immediate military action after receiving requests from Iran and several countries in the Middle East to refrain from launching attacks.
“Based on this request, I have agreed, for the future benefit of the world and the survival of a successful and prosperous Iran, to cancel the attack, subject to being able to rapidly make a deal,” he said.
According to Trump, any future agreement must include the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping and firm guarantees regarding Iran’s nuclear programme.
“The U.S.A. is locked and loaded and ready to go against the Islamic Republic of Iran, at levels of Military Terror, Strength, and Power not seen since World War II. Despite this, we have just been asked by Iran, and other Middle Eastern Countries, to hold off any attack in that… pic.twitter.com/Ylmlm06j3E
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 2, 2026
He added that Israel supported the US position, saying: “The Country of Israel joins me in this commitment. Get to work, everybody, and get it done.”
Iran rejects Trump’s claim
Iran rejected Trump’s claim that Tehran had requested Washington to refrain from launching fresh military strikes.
Iran’s Mehr news agency, quoting military officials, described the claim as “another falsehood” and said Iran’s armed forces remained on high alert and fully prepared to respond to any potential threat.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said recent American military strikes had increased Iran’s willingness to negotiate.
Speaking to Fox News, Rubio claimed the attacks had significantly weakened Iran’s conventional military capabilities while acknowledging that Tehran still possessed missiles and drones capable of carrying out attacks.
He said the discussions now included both Iran’s nuclear programme and the future of the Strait of Hormuz.
Islamabad MoU framework
The Islamabad MoU was brokered by Pakistan and Qatar following negotiations in Islamabad after months of military confrontation between Washington and Tehran.
Under the Islamabad MoU, the US and Iran committed to halt military operations, reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping and negotiate a comprehensive agreement covering Iran’s nuclear programme, US sanctions and a permanent ceasefire within 60 days.
Pakistan and Qatar subsequently co-mediated the first round of high-level negotiations in Lucerne, Switzerland, on June 21.
The talks were attended by US Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
Saudi Arabia calls for dialogue
Separately, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman stressed the need for diplomacy during a telephone conversation with President Trump, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
During the telephone conversation with Trump, the Saudi Crown Prince stressed the “necessity of prioritising dialogue to de-escalate tensions” in the Middle East, SPA reported.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stressed the importance of paving the way for “diplomatic solutions that yield positive results to preserve the security and stability of the region, and prevent being drawn into a broader conflict whose repercussions affect regional and international security and stability”.
🇸🇦📞🇺🇸| HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held a phone call with U.S. President Donald J. Trump. pic.twitter.com/SQQdpAjakf
— Foreign Ministry 🇸🇦 (@KSAmofaEN) August 2, 2026
Pakistan’s mediation efforts
Pakistan has played a central mediating role between the United States and Iran since brokering a ceasefire on 8 April and hosting high-level talks between the two sides in Islamabad on 12 and 13 April.
Pakistan has repeatedly urged both countries to honour the Islamabad MoU and continue diplomatic engagement.
The first round of Pakistan- and Qatar-mediated negotiations under the agreement was later held in Lucerne, Switzerland, on 21 June.
The talks were attended by US Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
Following the negotiations, Pakistan and Qatar announced significant progress in diplomatic efforts, while Washington eased certain sanctions on Tehran.
The latest diplomatic activity comes amid months of heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran.
