Pakistan scrambles to save US-Iran peace deal; Shehbaz Sharif launches high-stakes diplomatic push

Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held separate telephone conversations with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Friday, signalling Islamabad's determination to prevent the recent rise in regional tensions from derailing the US-Iran peace process.

The calls came as diplomatic efforts intensified to restore confidence after renewed military escalation threatened the momentum created by the Islamabad MoU, signed on 18 June. Pakistan and Qatar have played key mediation roles since the agreement was reached.

Islamabad focuses on preserving the MoU

A central theme of Sharif's discussions was the need to uphold the commitments made under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. He described the agreement as an important framework for promoting dialogue, mutual respect and long-term regional stability.

Pakistan's latest outreach suggests that Islamabad is now focusing not only on facilitating negotiations but also on ensuring that all parties continue to honour the commitments already made. Officials believe that maintaining the MoU is essential for preventing further deterioration in relations between the United States and Iran.

Call for restraint amid fresh tensions

During his conversation with President Pezeshkian, Sharif expressed deep concern over the latest escalation in West Asia and urged all parties to exercise restraint. He stressed that further military actions could undermine the diplomatic progress achieved over recent months.

Sharif also reaffirmed Pakistan's willingness to continue playing an honest and constructive role in supporting dialogue and promoting regional peace.

President Pezeshkian thanked Pakistan's leadership, including Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Asim Munir, for attending the funeral of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He also acknowledged Pakistan's diplomatic support and reaffirmed Iran's commitment to pursuing peace.

Pakistan and Iran review bilateral cooperation

Beyond regional security, both leaders reviewed the implementation of decisions taken during President Pezeshkian's visit to Islamabad last month. They agreed to speed up follow-up measures aimed at expanding cooperation across multiple sectors while maintaining regular consultations on regional developments.

In his separate discussion with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Sharif thanked Doha for its continued support in facilitating the peace process. He also conveyed Pakistan's solidarity with Qatar following the recent attacks and reiterated the importance of restraint by all sides.

Both leaders agreed that sustained diplomatic engagement remains the most effective path to reducing tensions and preserving stability. They also reaffirmed the need for every party involved to implement the commitments outlined in the Islamabad MoU.

Why the Islamabad MoU matters

The Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, signed by the United States and Iran on 18 June, marked a significant diplomatic breakthrough after months of heightened tensions. It laid the foundation for restoring dialogue and was followed by the first round of high-level technical talks in Burgenstock, Switzerland, on 21 June, with Pakistan and Qatar acting as mediators.

The recent rise in hostilities has raised concerns about the future of the agreement. Pakistan's latest diplomatic initiative reflects its effort to protect what it considers one of the region's most important recent peace initiatives and prevent negotiations from losing momentum.