Pakistan to continue 'sincere efforts' for peace, PM tells Pezeshkian after setback in US-Iran talks
PM Shehbaz (right) holds talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian (left) on US-Iran ceasefire
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday told Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian that Pakistan would continue its "sincere and serious" efforts for peace in the region after the latest setback in talks between the United States and the Islamic republic.
The development comes after US President Donald Trump cancelled a planned visit by envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff to Pakistan for talks with Iranian officials. The Iranian foreign minister also left the country after a visit with senior officials.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, PM Shehbaz and the Iranian president held a 50-minute “warm and cordial” telephone conversation on Saturday evening, during which they exchanged views on the prevailing regional situation and ongoing efforts for peace and stability.
Read: US-Iran peace process hits snag as Trump cancels trip of envoys, FM Araghchi leaves Pakistan
Reiterating Pakistan’s position, the prime minister said: “Pakistan would continue its sincere and honest endeavours to promote regional peace and security.”
It added that PM Shehbaz appreciated the participation of the high-level Iranian delegation in talks held in Islamabad on April 11–12, while also welcoming Iran’s decision to send a delegation led by FM Araghchi to Islamabad today.
Islamabad: 25 April 2026.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone call with His Excellency Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, this evening.
During their warm and cordial conversation that lasted fifty minutes, the two leaders had a…Sharing details of his diplomatic outreach, the premier said his contacts with world leaders had helped build “broader consensus in support of sustained dialogue and diplomacy aimed at achieving lasting peace in the war-affected region”.
He also lauded the “fruitful discussions” held between the Iranian leadership and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir during the latter’s recent visit to Tehran earlier this month.
President Pezeshkian thanked PM Shehbaz, CDF Munir and FM Ishaq Dar for their “significant contribution to the peace efforts”. He also expressed Iran’s desire for peace and said he was confident that “the fraternal ties between Iran and Pakistan would continue to strengthen and expand in the future”.
The prime minister also conveyed his “respectful greetings and regards” to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.
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Both leaders agreed to remain in close contact and continue coordination on matters of mutual interest.
The prime minister said in a later post on X that he had a "warm and constructive telephone exchange" on the evolving regional situation.
"I appreciated Iran’s continued engagement, including the high-level delegation to Islamabad led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, whom I had the pleasure of meeting earlier today. I reaffirmed that, with the support of friends and partners, Pakistan remains committed to serve as an honest and sincere facilitator - working tirelessly to advance durable peace and lasting stability in the region."
Had a warm and constructive telephone exchange this evening with my brother, President Masoud Pezeshkian, on the evolving regional situation.
I appreciated Iran’s continued engagement, including the high-level delegation to Islamabad led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, whom…
Washington remains locked in a costly impasse with Tehran, as tensions between the two sides continue to disrupt global energy markets. Iran has tightened controls over the Strait of Hormuz — a key shipping route that typically carries around one-fifth of global oil supplies — while the US continues to restrict Iranian oil exports. The standoff, alongside broader regional conflict involving Israel, has pushed energy prices to multi-year highs, fuelling inflation and weakening global growth prospects.
The situation briefly appeared to ease earlier this week when Trump unilaterally extended a ceasefire on Tuesday, allowing additional time for negotiators to resume talks.
Read: Pakistan envoy to US says Islamabad committed to diplomacy, regional stability
Diplomatic efforts had seemed to regain momentum after an earlier round of inconclusive discussions. Those talks, held in Islamabad two weeks ago, failed to produce any breakthrough.
On Friday, Trump told Reuters that Iran was expected to present an offer aimed at meeting US demands, though he did not specify its details.
Subsequently, Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi announced a visit to Pakistan on Friday. Around the same time, Trump also said he would be sending a US delegation to Islamabad for further negotiations.
However, as Araghchi arrived in Islamabad, the president announced that he had cancelled the planned visit. When asked by Axios whether the cancellation signalled a possible resumption of hostilities, Trump said: “No. It doesn’t mean that. We haven’t thought about it yet.”
Later, in a post on his social media platform Truth Social, the US president said the decision was taken due to what he described as unnecessary travel and workload considerations.