PM Shehbaz, MBS hail US-Iran deal, urge vigilance against attempts to derail peace talks

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Friday hailed the signing of the deal, which ended a conflict between Iran and the United States lasting over three months, with both leaders stressing the need for vigilance against any attempt to derail the ongoing diplomatic process.

The statement came a day after PM Shehbaz signed the historic “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding” (MoU) as a mediator, formalising a major diplomatic breakthrough between the United States and Iran. US President Donald Trump signed the document, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also signed the accord in Tehran.

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According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the premier held a telephone conversation with the Saudi crown prince.

“During their warm and cordial conversation, the prime minister congratulated Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on the signing of the historic Islamabad Peace Deal,” said the statement.

The statement further added that the prime minister expressed deep appreciation for the crown prince’s “steadfast and consistent support” to Pakistan’s peace efforts and paid tribute to his leadership of the Kingdom during the crisis.

“It is only with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s strong support, as well as the support of other Gulf states, that the peace deal between Iran and the US was signed within a few months,” the prime minister said.

It said that the MBS also congratulated the prime minister and praised the efforts of Field Marshal Asim Munir, which led to the successful signing of the agreement.

Both leaders agreed on the importance of ensuring that the next phase of negotiations between Iran and the US proceeds smoothly and that outstanding issues are resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.

“It would be vital to ensure that the next phase of negotiations between Iran and the US progresses smoothly, and the outstanding issues are resolved through dialogue and diplomacy,” the statement quoted both leaders as saying, while stressing vigilance against any attempt to derail the process.

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PM Shehbaz expressed satisfaction over what he termed the “excellent state of bilateral relations” between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, adding that both countries were ready to finalise a comprehensive economic package under the patronage of the crown prince.

“The two sides were ready to finalise and sign the comprehensive economic package, under the patronage of the crown prince,” the statement said.

The prime minister also extended an invitation to MBS to visit Pakistan at his convenience and conveyed his regards and good wishes for King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.

The statement said both leaders agreed to continue close coordination in the days ahead.