PM Shehbaz assures Pezeshkian of Pakistan's continued support in next phase of negotiations with US

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday assured Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian of Pakistan’s continued support during the next phase of negotiations with the United States, saying Islamabad would stand by Iran as a brotherly and neighbouring country in all areas.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the premier received a telephone call from the Iranian president in the afternoon. The conversation lasted more than 30 minutes.

It was the first contact between the two leaders since the signing of the historic Islamabad peace deal. PM Shehbaz signed the 'Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding' as a mediator, formalising a major diplomatic breakthrough between the US and Iran. The memorandum also carries the signatures of US President Donald Trump and Pezeshkian.

The PMO said PM Shehbaz congratulated Pezeshkian, the Iranian leadership and people on the signing of the agreement.

“This landmark deal will not only help restore peace in the region, but will also go a long way towards rebuilding the Iranian nation and further strengthening Pakistan-Iran ties across all areas of mutual interest,” PM Shehbaz said.

The premier also conveyed his respectful regards to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.

On behalf of the Iranian nation and himself, President Pezeshkian thanked PM Shehbaz and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir for their crucial roles in steering the mediation process with "great skill and sincerity" and ensuring its success.

“Iran will always remember Pakistan’s positive and constructive efforts and its support for Iran during these difficult times,” Pezeshkian said.

The statement added that the Iranian president also expressed a keen interest in expanding bilateral relations with Pakistan across all areas of mutual interest.

“Both leaders agreed to visit each other’s capitals at the earliest possible opportunity to carry forward the excellent cooperation between the two sides on bilateral and regional matters. They also agreed to remain in contact in the coming days,” the PMO said.

Earlier in the day, PM Shehbaz said, “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 the honourable presidents of both countries and also endorsed by me as the mediator.”

He added that the memorandum would enter into force immediately and as a "first step, Iran will instantly reopen the Strait of Hormuz and the US will immediately lift the naval blockade".

The US and Israel launched the war on Iran ⁠on February 28, assassinating 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and military leaders on the first day. It quickly spiralled into a regional conflict that has killed more than 7,000 people, mostly in Iran and Lebanon; driven up energy prices; renewed inflationary pressures and sparked concerns about a ​major food supply crisis in developing countries.

The 14-point agreement extends a ceasefire announced in April by another 60 days, including in Lebanon, to allow the two sides to negotiate a final truce. Both Trump and Pezeshkian have digitally signed the memorandum in English and Farsi, US and Iranian ​officials said, with Iran's foreign ministry saying the agreement was already in effect as of Wednesday.

Read More: PM Shehbaz signs 'Islamabad MoU' as mediator between US and Iran

Trump signed just before a grand dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palace of Versailles, the site of the signing of the eponymous treaty that formally ended World War One.

The US and Iran released the text of the Islamabad MoU that their presidents have signed to end their war on Wednesday. However, Trump had threatened to resume attacks and kill Iranian officials if they failed to honour their ​commitments.