ISLAMABAD: The signing of the US-Iran memorandum of understanding to end the Middle East war means Tehran will reopen the Strait of Hormuz “instantly” and the American blockade of Iranian ports will end “immediately”, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Thursday.
“The Memorandum has been signed by honourable Presidents of both the countries and also endorsed by me as the mediator,” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said.
The memorandum “shall enter into force with immediate effect and as a first step, Islamic Republic of Iran will instantly reopen the Strait of Hormuz and the United States of America will immediately lift the naval blockade”, Sharif wrote on X.
I am honoured to announce that the historic ‘Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding’ has been electronically signed today between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Memorandum has been signed by honourable Presidents of both the countries and also…
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) June 18, 2026
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints, carrying a significant share of global oil and gas shipments. Its closure during the conflict heightened concerns over energy supplies and regional stability.
Sharif also confirmed that Pakistan, with Qatari support, would host a ceremony in Switzerland on Friday to “commemorate this landmark event and commence with the technical level talks”.
“I am honoured to announce that the historic Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding has been electronically signed today between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Sharif said.
“The Memorandum has been signed by honourable Presidents of both the countries and also endorsed by me as the mediator,” Sharif added.
According to the prime minister, the agreement comes into force immediately and includes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran and the lifting of the US naval blockade as initial confidence-building measures.
Sharif said the signing of the memorandum by the leaders of both countries reflected a strong commitment to resolving the conflict through diplomacy rather than military confrontation.
He congratulated President Trump for what he described as his commitment to peaceful conflict resolution and praised members of the US negotiating team, including Vice President JD Vance, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, for their role in securing the agreement.
The prime minister also expressed appreciation to Iran’s leadership, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, saying their “wisdom, foresight and statesmanship” had helped pave the way for peace.
Sharif further acknowledged the efforts of senior Iranian negotiators, including Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Abbas Araghchi and Eskandar Momeni, describing their engagement as instrumental in bringing the talks to a successful conclusion.
He thanked the leadership of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Egypt for supporting the diplomatic process and helping facilitate dialogue between the two sides.
“I would especially like to acknowledge the sincere efforts and constructive engagement of the leadership of the State of Qatar in helping reach this point. I also highly commend the leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Republic of Türkiye and the Arab Republic of Egypt for their indispensable role and invaluable contributions in this regard,” he said.
The Pakistani premier also paid tribute to Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, saying his “tireless efforts, selfless dedication and instrumental role” were critical in achieving the breakthrough.
Sharif said he hoped the memorandum would serve as a lasting foundation for greater understanding, mutual respect, and shared prosperity across the Middle East and the wider region.
The announcement comes amid growing international efforts to stabilise the region following months of conflict, disruption to global energy supplies and heightened tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme.
“May this Memorandum of Understanding serve as an enduring foundation for greater understanding, mutual respect and shared prosperity for the complete region,” said Sharif.
