ISLAMABAD: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Thursday telephoned Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and thanked Pakistan for its key role in diplomatic efforts that led to the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Iran to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
The telephone conversation, which lasted more than 30 minutes, was the first contact between the two leaders after the signing of the historic agreement on Thursday morning.
Prime Minister Sharif congratulated President Pezeshkian, the Iranian leadership and the people of Iran on the signing of a historic peace deal.
The prime minister said the agreement would help restore peace in the region, contribute to the rebuilding of Iran and further strengthen Pakistan-Iran relations across areas of mutual interest.
Prime Minister Sharif also conveyed his regards to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Sayyid Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei.
While lauding Iran’s decision to sign the peace deal, the Prime Minister wished the Iranian side success in the next phase of negotiations. He also assured President Pezeshkian of Pakistan’s continued support for Iran as a neighbouring and brotherly country, in all spheres.
On behalf of the Iranian nation as well as on his own behalf, President Pezeshkian thanked Prime Minister Sharif and Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for their extremely critical roles in steering the mediation process.
President Pezeshkian said the process had been conducted with great skill and sincerity and had helped ensure a successful outcome.
The Iranian President said that Iran would always remember Pakistan’s positive and constructive efforts and its support for Iran during these difficult times.
While conveying his best wishes for the people of Pakistan, the Iranian President said that Iran was keen to enhance and expand its bilateral ties with Pakistan across all areas of mutual interest.
Both leaders agreed to visit each other’s capitals at the earliest possible opportunity to carry forward the excellent cooperation between the two sides in bilateral as well as regional matters.
They also agreed to remain in contact in the coming days.
On Thursday morning, US President Donald Trump and Iran’s President Pezeshkian signed a deal to end the Middle East war.
Trump put his signature to the Islamabad memorandum of understanding during a candlelit dinner at the Palace of Versailles following a G7 summit.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said the document “was finalised with the signatures of the presidents.”
Prime Minister Sharif, who mediated the agreement, said on X that it “shall enter into force with immediate effect.”
