NEW YORK: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday stressed the importance of building on and implementing the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the United States and Iran for lasting peace and stability in the Middle East.
During a meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Prime Minister Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness to continue playing a sincere and constructive role in support of regional peace and stability, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.
The Prime Minister expressed deep concern over the prolonged conflict in the region. He emphasised the need for restraint, de-escalation and sustained diplomatic engagement to achieve lasting peace and stability.
The Pakistan-brokered Islamabad MoU, signed in June, provides the framework for ending the US-Iran conflict and pursuing a negotiated settlement.
Under the Islamabad MoU, Iran and the US 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.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Sharif and President Pezeshkian exchanged views on the evolving regional situation.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met with the President of Islamic Republic of Iran, H.E. Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian today, on the sidelines of the 81st Session of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq… pic.twitter.com/BHkCwC2QNI
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) September 24, 2026
President Pezeshkian appreciated Pakistan’s principled diplomacy and concerted efforts for regional peace and security. The Iranian President also underscored the enduring strength of Pakistan-Iran relations, rooted in shared history, culture, and faith, and reaffirmed Tehran’s strong desire to further deepen multifaceted cooperation.
Underlining the importance of maintaining regular consultations and close coordination to address the prevailing challenges and seize the opportunities, the two sides agreed to work for regional peace, security, and prosperity.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Special Assistant to Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi, along with senior officials from both sides, were also present during the meeting.
During the meeting, the two leaders reaffirmed the close and longstanding ties between Pakistan and Iran and underscored the need to further strengthen bilateral Cooperation across all areas of mutual Interest.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met with the President of Islamic Republic of Iran, H.E. Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian today, on the sidelines of the 81st Session of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. pic.twitter.com/GcntExS6dB
— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) September 24, 2026
Earlier in the day, Deputy PM Dar met Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session.
The two foreign ministers discussed bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and international developments, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said.
Ishaq Dar underscored the importance of dialogue, diplomacy and sustained engagement in promoting regional peace and stability.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 met with Foreign Minister of Iran, H.E. Seyed Abbas Araghchi @Araghchi, on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
The two counterparts discussed bilateral relations… pic.twitter.com/6IuMoY1PJJ
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) September 24, 2026
Pakistan continues mediating efforts
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Sharif said Islamabad was “completely focused” on mediating an end to the war between the US and Iran through dialogue and diplomacy.
“Pakistan is playing the role of a sincere and honest mediator between Iran, our neighbourly country, and the United States,” Prime Minister Sharif told reporters at the United Nations.
Prime Minister Sharif said he signed the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in June with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and US President Donald Trump.
“Unfortunately, events after that got a bit unpredictable, but Pakistan is completely focused. We have not lost hope; we are absolutely determined that we will further make efforts and make progress to de-escalate the situation,” the Prime Minister added.
Asked if there are plans for another meeting, Prime Minister Sharif said it is a “conscious process” and that all friendly countries are contributing to achieve regional peace.
رئيس الوزراء الباكستاني شهباز شريف: باكستان “تركز تماماً” على الوساطة لإنهاء الحرب المتعلقة بإيران pic.twitter.com/g9vR38RMKQ
— العربية (@AlArabiya) September 23, 2026
The United States and Iran have remained locked in conflict since US-Israeli strikes on Iran began on February 28.
Islamabad MoU framework for US-Iran talks
Pakistan is the key mediator between the US and Iran after helping secure a ceasefire on April 8. Later, Pakistan hosted high-level US and Iranian delegations for talks in Islamabad on April 12 and 13.
Pakistan has repeatedly urged a return to the Islamabad MoU between the US and Iran, maintaining that dialogue and diplomacy were the only way to resolve the months-long conflict.
Under the Islamabad MoU, Iran and the United States 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 later co-mediated the first round of high-level talks in Lucerne, Switzerland, on June 21. The meeting was attended by Vance and Ghalibaf.
Pakistan is making efforts to revive talks under the Islamabad MoU framework to permanently end the conflict through diplomacy and dialogue.
On Monday, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met his Iranian counterpart Eskandar Momeni in Tehran and discussed the latest regional developments.
During their meeting, the two ministers exchanged views on the situation in the region, Pakistan’s Interior Ministry said.
Momeni thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for their efforts towards regional peace and stability.
“We are grateful for Pakistan’s continuous efforts to establish peace in the region,” Momeni said.
وفاقی وزیر داخلہ محسن نقوی کی ایرانی وزات داخلہ آمد، ایرانی ہم منصب اسکندر مومنی سے ملاقات
پاک ایران دوطرفہ تعلقات اور خطے کی تازہ ترین صورتحال پر تبادلہ خیالملاقات میں دونوں ممالک کی وزارت داخلہ کے درمیان مختلف شعبوں میں جاری تعاون پر پیش رفت کا جائزہ لیا گیا pic.twitter.com/bEjeAaTKj5
— Ministry of Interior GoP (@MOIofficialGoP) September 21, 2026
US, Iran hold meeting in New York
US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that senior US officials held a three-hour meeting with an Iranian delegation in New York, describing the talks as “very good” and productive.
Trump said US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner took part in the meeting, which was held shortly before he spoke to reporters following his address to the UN General Assembly.
“We had a very good meeting. I mean, I must tell you it was a very good, very productive meeting,” Trump said, adding that another meeting had been scheduled “in the very near future”.
President Trump Participates in a Multilateral Meeting with the Gulf Cooperation Council https://t.co/GMMkjnmNJL
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 22, 2026
Witkoff also described the talks positively but did not provide details.
According to The New York Times, citing Iranian officials, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi led the Iranian delegation, while Pakistan and Qatar mediated the meeting.
Trump did not disclose details of the discussions but reiterated his demand that Iran never acquire a nuclear weapon.
In his UN address earlier on Tuesday, he had presented Tehran with what he described as a choice between a deal that would allow it to prosper and what he called “obliteration”.
“Will a deal be made with Iran that lets them rebuild and create a far greater country than it ever was before? … Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly?” Trump said on the floor of the UN as he threatened to destroy an entire nation.
