EXPLORE THIS STORY
PAKISTAN PERSPECTIVE
UNITED STATES STRIKES IRANIAN TARGETS AFTER ATTACKS IN THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ
DOMINANT ANGLE
Pakistan's capital is watching with concern the fragility of a ceasefire adopted under the name of its own capital, the Islamabad Memorandum, as new attacks in the Strait of Hormuz rekindle the risk of escalation between the US and Tehran.
Dominant angle identified — does not reflect unanimity of this country’s media
ANALYSIS
Islamabad, July 8, 2026. For Pakistan, the latest surge in tensions in the Strait of Hormuz directly affects its regional diplomacy: the interim agreement intended to freeze hostilities between Washington and Tehran is known as the Islamabad Memorandum, signed last month between the two capitals. Its fragility, exposed in a matter of hours by a series of attacks on merchant ships, concerns the local press.
According to Geo News and The Express Tribune, citing Axios, Iran's Revolutionary Guards fired at least two missiles at commercial ships crossing the strait on Monday night, seriously damaging two vessels without causing any casualties. Meanwhile, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency reported that a tanker caught fire after being hit by an "unidentified projectile" about 15 kilometers east of Limah, Oman. Dawn reports that a total of three ships were eventually hit in a matter of hours, including the Qatari methanier Al-Rekayyat. Doha, the mediator of the ceasefire, denounced an "unacceptable" attack: Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari deemed Tehran "fully and legally responsible" for the damage.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi retorted that final negotiations would not move forward as long as US threats persisted, citing paragraph 13 of the protocol: "Honor your signature." President Donald Trump had warned the previous day that Washington would "conclude an agreement or finish the job."
For Islamabad, whose economy largely depends on energy imports from the Gulf, the volatility of the strait – through which a fifth of the world's oil consumption passes – remains a direct risk. The Express Tribune notes that Brent ($72.37) and WTI ($68.85) prices remained almost stable on Tuesday despite the incident, with markets judging the resumption of supply more decisive than the temporary crisis. Nevertheless, the repetition of attacks, after more than a week of calm, revives Pakistani doubts about the solidity of an agreement bearing the name of its capital.
KEY POINTS
- Pakistan's government is closely monitoring the situation after Iranian Revolutionary Guards fired at least two missiles at commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday evening, seriously damaging two vessels with no reported casualties.
- In a span of a few hours, three ships were hit, including the Qatari methane carrier Al-Rekayyat; Islamabad is watching as Doha holds Tehran "fully and legally responsible" for the attack.
- As the incident unfolded, Pakistan's economy is likely to feel the effects of the resulting oil price hike, with Brent crude settling at $72.37 and WTI at $68.85 on Tuesday, markets remaining relatively stable despite the incident.
COGNITIVE BIASES IDENTIFIED
Pakistan's government is closely watching the economic implications, particularly the impact on oil prices and the Gulf's energy supply, with less focus on military dynamics.
Pakistan's media outlets often cite Western sources, with many reports built on information from Axios and the UKMTO agency, and few direct quotes from Iranian officials, except for a statement from Minister Araghchi.
The coverage of internal tensions in Pakistan is limited, with articles failing to delve into the concrete repercussions on Pakistan's economy or diplomacy, despite the agreement being named after its capital.
SOURCES (3)
DawnCenter-left
RELIABLE
Does this analysis seem accurate?
