Pakistan Says Iran Trade Continues, Rejects Obligation to Follow Unilateral Sanctions
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: Pakistan said on Thursday that its trade with Iran is continuing and that Islamabad does not consider itself legally bound to implement unilateral sanctions against Tehran imposed outside the United Nations framework, as growing US economic pressure on Iran puts its trading partners under increased scrutiny.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said during a weekly press briefing that Pakistan’s commercial relations with Iran remained subject to international trade rules and Islamabad wanted bilateral trade to continue and expand.
“Pakistan-Iran trade is continuing,” the spokesperson said, according to Pakistani media reporting on the briefing. He distinguished unilateral restrictions from sanctions adopted through the United Nations, saying the situation would be different if relevant UN sanctions were imposed.
Pakistan has consistently opposed unilateral coercive measures imposed outside multilateral frameworks, Andrabi added.
Pakistan Draws Distinction Between UN and Unilateral Sanctions
The distinction is particularly significant as the United States intensifies economic pressure on Tehran and warns countries and businesses against commercial dealings that could fall under US sanctions.
Pakistan’s position does not mean that all transactions involving Iran are automatically free of sanctions risk. Businesses dealing with Iranian entities may still face exposure to US secondary sanctions or restrictions involving sanctioned banks, companies, individuals and sectors.
Rather, Islamabad’s position is that unilateral sanctions imposed by individual states are not equivalent to binding sanctions adopted through the United Nations.
The Foreign Office had articulated a similar position earlier this month. On August 6, it said international and national sanctions were factored into bilateral commerce but confirmed that Pakistan would continue pursuing trade with Iran through open borders.
Pakistan, Iran Target $10 Billion in Annual Trade
The statement comes as Islamabad and Tehran seek significantly deeper economic ties.
Pakistan and Iran concluded the 10th Pakistan-Iran Joint Trade Committee meeting earlier in August with a commitment to work towards a shared target of $10 billion in annual bilateral trade.
The two governments discussed progress towards a proposed free trade agreement, tariff reductions, rules of origin, expanded barter arrangements and stronger business-to-business cooperation.
They also agreed to improve customs coordination, logistics, border infrastructure and the movement of commercial cargo, particularly perishable goods.
Iran remains an important neighbouring market for Pakistan, particularly for border regions, while bilateral commerce includes formal and informal trade channels. Reuters reported this month that the two countries are seeking to raise bilateral trade to $10 billion despite mounting sanctions-related risks.
Foreign Office Rejects US Link to Munir’s Tehran Visit
The Foreign Office also rejected reports suggesting that Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir travelled to Tehran as an envoy of US President Donald Trump.
Andrabi said Munir’s visit, alongside Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, was part of Pakistan’s own efforts to reduce regional tensions and promote a peaceful settlement. He described reports connecting the visit directly to Washington as baseless.
The clarification comes after Reuters reported that Munir had spoken with Trump before travelling to Tehran and that the US president had urged Pakistan to use its influence to encourage Iran to return to negotiations.
These two points are not necessarily identical: Pakistan specifically rejects the characterization of Munir’s Tehran trip as a US-directed mission, while Reuters reported that a Trump-Munir conversation occurred before the visit.
Following the Tehran meetings, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said Pakistan and Iran had made “significant progress” in discussions aimed at reducing tensions and advancing a peaceful resolution to the regional conflict.
Strait of Hormuz Remains Key Concern
The Foreign Office said Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts also include attempts to address tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, whose disruption has affected regional and global economic interests.
Andrabi said the closure of the strategic waterway was affecting everyone and expressed hope for progress, while stressing that the final decisions rested with Tehran and Washington.
The waterway remains central to global energy security because of the volume of oil and gas normally transported through it.
Pakistan’s diplomatic and economic position therefore involves several overlapping priorities: maintaining relations and trade with neighbouring Iran, protecting Pakistan from sanctions-related financial exposure, supporting regional de-escalation and seeking stability around the Strait of Hormuz.
For now, Islamabad’s public position remains clear: trade with Iran will continue within applicable international rules, while Pakistan does not regard unilateral sanctions against Tehran as automatically binding on the country.
