ISTANBUL, Turkiye: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday expressed optimism that the United States and Iran could reach a lasting peace agreement within the next two months, saying technical-level negotiations were progressing under the Pakistan-brokered Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Washington and Tehran.
In an interview with TRT World during his official visit to Istanbul, Prime Minister Sharif said Pakistan would continue to facilitate the peace process after helping mediate the ceasefire agreement signed between Washington and Tehran last month.
“We hope and pray to Allah Almighty that long-lasting peace will come in place, Inshallah, in the next two months or so,” the prime minister said.
Pakistan’s mediation role
Prime Minister Sharif said Pakistan’s mediation between the United States and Iran is “a great honour” but acknowledged that it had been a difficult and complicated task.
“It has been a great honour for Pakistan to play the role of a mediator to bring the two countries together,” he said.
“While it was a very noble undertaking, at the same time it was a very difficult and complicated task.”
PM Sharif said Pakistan had maintained an honest and balanced approach while engaging Washington and Tehran throughout the negotiations.
The prime minister also thanked Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt for supporting the diplomatic initiative for regional peace. “Without their support, it wouldn’t have been possible,” he said.
Prime Minister Sharif noted that the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding had now been signed and technical discussions had begun following the high-level negotiations in Switzerland.
US-Iran technical talks continue
Responding to a question on the progress of negotiations, the prime minister said discussions between the United States and Iran were continuing.
He also acknowledged the role played by Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir during the mediation process.
“I must bring on record that Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir played one of the most pivotal roles,” PM Sharif said.
“He was in touch with the Iranian leadership and the American leadership. He worked through the nights… There were moments when it felt that everything would fall through, but by the grace of Almighty Allah, he remained consistent.”
The prime minister also praised Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar for diligent diplomatic efforts throughout the negotiations.
Erdogan praises Pakistan’s diplomacy
Earlier on Saturday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan commended Pakistan’s mediation efforts during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Sharif in Istanbul.
Erdogan said the “entire world has had a sigh of relief” following the calm achieved through the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, signed on June 18 to end hostilities between the United States and Iran.
He congratulated the Pakistani leadership and people for their invaluable contribution to the peace process.
“We too have supported and continue to support every step that will help reduce tensions in our region and resolve issues through diplomatic means,” Erdogan said.
He added that Turkiye would continue working with “brotherly countries, foremost among them Pakistan”, to strengthen regional peace, stability and prosperity.
Pakistan announces progress in US-Iran talks
On Thursday, Pakistan said that indirect negotiations between the United States and Iran had made “positive progress” during meetings held in Doha under Pakistani and Qatari mediation.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Pakistani and Qatari mediators had held separate discussions with the US and Iranian delegations, building on the outcomes of last month’s Lake Lucerne Summit and advancing implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.
“The parties have agreed to continue discussions over the coming period, with the next meeting to be scheduled at the earliest possible time following the funeral processions of Iran’s former Supreme Leader,” Andrabi said.
Islamabad MoU between US and Iran
The Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding was signed on June 18 by US President Donald Trump, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif after Pakistan brokered a ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.
The agreement committed both countries 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.
Following the meeting, Pakistani and Qatari mediators reported encouraging progress, while Washington announced the easing of sanctions on Tehran.
Pakistan continues diplomatic efforts
Pakistan is the main mediator between the US and Iran after it secured a ceasefire on April 08 and hosted the highest level of talks between the two nations on April 12 and 13 in Islamabad.
Pakistan, which brokered the ceasefire and has continued to mediate between Washington and Tehran, has urged all parties to honour the agreement.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Sunday stressed the need for all parties to the Middle East conflict to uphold the ceasefire agreement.
Dar made the remarks during a phone call with European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas.
During the telephone conversation, Dar and Kallas reviewed the evolving regional situation, according to a statement issued by Pakistan’s Foreign Office.
Ishaq Dar informed the EU’s top diplomat about Pakistan’s continued diplomatic efforts towards a comprehensive framework for peace and stability in the region.
“He also emphasised the necessity for all parties to abide by the ceasefire agreement,” the Foreign Office statement read.
Vance says US-Iran talks progressing ‘extremely well’
On Wednesday, US Vice President JD Vance said that negotiations between the United States and Iran under the Islamabad MoU were progressing “extremely well”.
Speaking after addressing US service members in Virginia, Vance said President Donald Trump’s instructions to the US negotiating team were clear. “The President’s instructions are clear: to press ahead to reach an agreement and to negotiate in good faith,” Vance said.
The US Vice President added that the United States saw “significant momentum amongst those within the Iranian regime who are seeking to turn a new page”.
In an interview with CNN, Vance said discussions in Doha were progressing positively and would soon move to Iran’s nuclear programme. “It’s still pretty early, but talks are going well,” he said.
“Right now, the technical negotiators are sitting down with the Iranians, with the Qataris, and with others in Doha, talking about some of the details here. We’re worried about the nuclear issue, and we’re going to start talking about that, so right now the talks are going well.”
Vance said that President Trump did not intend to restart military operations in Iran without a “clearly defined purpose”.
“What I can commit to is the president’s not going to send our military back in unless he has to,” Vance told reporters.
