Pakistan wins global praise for brokering US-Iran agreement

US, Israel attacked Iran on Feb 28, assassinating former supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Pakistan’s mediation efforts came under the spotlight on Monday as world leaders welcomed a breakthrough agreement between the United States and Iran to end the three-month-long conflict in the Middle East, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and provide reprieve to the struggling global economy.

The war, which triggered a global energy crisis, erupted after the US and Israel, on February 28, carried out a series of attacks on Iran that also led to the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The much-awaited peace deal that ended the three-month-long conflict in the Gulf was announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the early hours of Monday on a post shared on X. He noted that the official signing ceremony of the agreement will be held on Friday, June 19, in Switzerland.

Following intensive talks, we are pleased to announce that the Peace Deal between the United States of America and Islamic Republic of Iran has been REACHED. Both sides have declared the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in…

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) June 14, 2026

At the same time, US President Donald Trump also declared the end of war on Truth Social. 

“The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete. Congratulations to all! I hereby fully authorise the toll-free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, simultaneously herewith, authorize the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade. Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!” he said.

pic.twitter.com/oVeD5kOcrJ

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) June 14, 2026

Trump has repeatedly appreciated the mediary role of Pakistan amid the intense conflict in the Middle East. World leaders also lauded Pakistan for leading the peace process and ensuring diplomatic engagement between the warring nations, which eventually led to a peace agreement.

Leaders and senior officials from the United Nations, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Türkiye, United Kingdom, Australia, France, Japan, New Zealand, and Germany appreciated Pakistan and expressed support for the agreement that has paved the way for regional stability and ensured diplomatic engagement on Iran’s nuclear programme.

UN Secretary-General

UN Secretary-General António Guterres congratulated Washington and Tehran for reaching a peace deal that “provides for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, as well as a framework for further negotiations.”

Building on this, he expressed “deep appreciation” for Pakistan’s role as an arbitrator in the conflict that critically impacts the world on several fronts. “This represents a critical step towards the peaceful settlement of the conflict,” Gueterres remarked in a statement issued on X.

I warmly congratulate the US & Iran for having reached a peace deal that provides for an immediate & permanent ceasefire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, as well as a framework for further negotiations. This represents a critical step towards the peaceful settlement of the…

— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) June 14, 2026

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

In a statement issued by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Foreign Ministry said the country welcomes the "agreement reached between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran to end military operations and commence detailed negotiations over a 60-day period with the aim of reaching a permanent agreement."

The post highlighted the peacebuilding efforts of Pakistan alongside other key players that kept the diplomatic efforts towards peace afloat.

#Statement | The Foreign Ministry expresses the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s welcome of the agreement reached between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran to end military operations and commence detailed negotiations over a 60-day period with the aim of… pic.twitter.com/5tEgn3qxQm

— Foreign Ministry 🇸🇦 (@KSAmofaEN) June 15, 2026

Qatar

Qatar Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi also shared a statement on social media appreciating the South Asian nation. “We commend the constructive efforts of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in facilitating this process, alongside the support of regional and international partners,” he said.

We welcome the understanding reached between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran, which paves the way for a lasting cessation of military operations. We commend the constructive efforts of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in facilitating this process, alongside the…

— د. محمد الخليفي (@Dr_Al_Khulaifi) June 14, 2026

The Gulf nation hoped the peace deal would catalyse regional stability and advance “constructive engagement” on outstanding issues.

Statement | Qatar Welcomes the Agreement Reached on the Memorandum of Understanding Between the United States and Iran on Addressing Outstanding Issues

Doha | June 15, 2026

The State of Qatar welcomes the agreement reached on the Memorandum of Understanding between the United… pic.twitter.com/wcRXF5Gk4X

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) June 14, 2026

A statement issued by Qatar's Foreign Ministry also underscored Qatar’s commitment to peace and dialogue as the most effective means of resolving differences in line with the principles of the UN charter. The statement also highlighted Pakistan’s role in creating the right conditions for the US-Iran MoU on outstanding issues, including freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

Turkiye

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a post on X defined the agreement as an important development for establishing peace and tranquillity in the war-torn region and acknowledged the intermediary role of Pakistan in bringing about a desirable diplomatic outcome, “I thank Pakistan for its exceptional mediation efforts.”

ABD ve İran arasında varılan mutabakatı, bölgemizde sulh-u sükûnun hâkim kılınması adına önemli bir gelişme olarak görüyor, memnuniyetle karşılıyorum.

Tüm dünyanın uzun süredir ihtiyaç duyduğu bu haberin bölgemizde kalıcı huzur ve güven ortamının tesisine vesile olmasını…

— Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (@RTErdogan) June 14, 2026

He also warned against provocative rhetoric and acts of sabotage that may mar the peace process.

United Kingdom

UK PM Keir Starmer also welcomed the peace deal in a statement issued on X, saying, “I congratulate President Trump and the mediators from Pakistan, Qatar and elsewhere who have contributed to this breakthrough.”

The British premier described the maneuver, “A hugely important step forward in ending the war, ensuring regional stability and re-opening the Strait of Hormuz.”

My statement on today's agreement between the United States and Iran. pic.twitter.com/taQZufv7ij

— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 14, 2026

Starmer further emphasised on the need for full implementation of the MoU to uphold permanent freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and finalise details of the nuclear agreement.

Australia

Australian PM Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong, in a joint statement, “commended the efforts to date of Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and other mediating countries.”

The statement also noted that the country had long called for de-escalation and an end to the conflict in the Gulf as well as in Lebanon.

pic.twitter.com/Hsu7zEkzni

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) June 14, 2026

France

French President Emmanuel Macron also acknowledged the role of Pakistan and in a statement issued on social media, said that the agreement was the result of a diplomatic effort to which several partners have contributed, and called for its rapid and complete implementation by all belligerents.

Je salue l’accord conclu entre les États-Unis et l’Iran, fruit d’un effort diplomatique auquel ont contribué plusieurs partenaires. J’appelle à sa mise en œuvre rapide et complète par tous les belligérants.

Cet accord doit permettre la réouverture urgente et inconditionnelle…

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) June 14, 2026

Simultaneously, the president extended support to the Lebanese authorities for the restoration of the state’s sovereignty in the broader view of the Middle Eastern conflict. He highlighted the deal also paved the way for comprehensive negotiations in service of peace and security for all in the Gulf region.

Japan

Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi appreciated the role of Pakistan and other countries in the peace process.

“We welcome the agreement on this memorandum as a major step toward the resolution of the situation. This is the result of the parties concerned pursuing a diplomatic solution and engaging in persistent negotiations,” he said in the statement. 

“At the same time, we highly commend the efforts of the relevant countries that have played a mediating role to date,” the PM added.

 

今般、米国及びイラン双方が、戦闘終結等に関する覚書に合意した旨発表しました。
これまで我が国は、事態の沈静化が一刻も早く実際に図られることが最も重要との立場から、積極的な外交努力を行ってきました。…

— 高市早苗 (@takaichi_sanae) June 14, 2026

He expressed hope that the MoU would be steadily implemented and “free and safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz will be actually ensured.”

Germany

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz welcomed the US-Iran peace deal and congratulated Trump and the Iranian side on this diplomatic breakthrough.

“This can pave the way towards a reinvigorated global economy and a more secure Middle East. It is crucial to implement it with determination,” he added.

I welcome the agreement between the U.S. and Iran and congratulate President Trump and the Iranian side on this diplomatic breakthrough. This can pave the way towards a reinvigorated global economy and a more secure Middle East. It is crucial to implement it with determination.

— Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz (@bundeskanzler) June 14, 2026

New Zealand

New Zealand's FM Winston Peters, in a post shared on X, called the agreement, “A step towards reducing tensions and promoting stability in a region that is critical to global economic security.”

He said the maritime movement in the Strait of Hormuz, curtailed by the war, had negatively impacted the country’s economy, and that its reopening would restore confidence in key supply chains.

New Zealand welcomes the US - Iran Memorandum of Understanding aimed at ending the conflict. We want to see swift implementation including the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. We urge all parties to continue the positive momentum. While the situation remains fragile, this is a…

— Winston Peters (@NewZealandMFA) June 14, 2026

Pakistani leadership, notably PM Shehbaz and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, have actively pursued peaceful diplomatic engagement between the warring nations since the onset of conflict.

The first ceasefire agreement reached by the US and Iran in April was also brought about by Pakistan’s efforts.