Pakistan signs Islamabad MoU as guarantor for US-Iran West Asia peace

Islamabad,UPDATED: Jun 18, 2026 16:52 IST

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday signed the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, a document aimed at restoring peace in West Asia, with his office saying Pakistan had signed it as a guarantor. The document had already been signed by US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday.

Sharif's signing came a day before a planned ceremony in Switzerland, where key negotiators from the US, Iran, Pakistan and Qatar are expected to gather. Earlier in the day, Sharif said the agreement would take immediate effect, with Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz and the US lifting its naval blockade.

In a post on X, Sharif's office said: "Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif signed the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding as a guarantor. Signatures of US President Donald Trump and Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian are present on the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding." The Prime Minister's Office also shared photographs and videos of him signing the document.

Sharif later said the agreement had been signed "at the highest level" of the two governments and showed their commitment to a diplomatic settlement of the conflict. He also thanked countries in West Asia, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkiye and Egypt, for their contribution to the process.

The peace process was negotiated through mediators including Pakistan and Qatar, which first secured a two-week ceasefire on April 8. That ceasefire was later extended until the talks were completed. Pakistan, which later emerged as the key mediator, hosted the first round of peace talks in April. Senior leaders from both sides attended those talks, but no deal was reached at the time.

In another post on X, Sharif 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." He added: "Islamabad MoU shall enter into force with immediate effect and as a first step, the Islamic Republic of Iran will instantly reopen the Strait of Hormuz and the United States of America will immediately lift the naval blockade."

Trump signed the memorandum on Wednesday at the Palace of Versailles in France, where he had dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron after the G7 summit. Iranian media later posted photographs of Pezeshkian holding a signed copy of the document. The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway through which roughly one-fifth of the world's total energy supplies pass in normal times. Shipping through the strait has been badly disrupted since February 28, when the US and Israel launched joint attacks on Iran, triggering retaliatory strikes and causing an energy crisis in several countries.

Sharif offered what he called "heartfelt congratulations and sincere appreciation" to Trump, saying his "steadfast commitment to diplomacy and preference for peaceful resolution have once again helped end a conflict that could have led to devastating consequences for the region and beyond". He also praised "the dedication and tireless efforts" of the US negotiating team, including Vice President JD Vance, Special Envoy for West Asia Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner.

The Pakistani prime minister also expressed "profound respect and appreciation" for Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and President Pezeshkian for their "wisdom, foresight and statesmanship in embracing the cause of peace". He praised the Iranian negotiating team, including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni, saying their "patience, perseverance and commitment to constructive engagement were instrumental in bringing this agreement to fruition". Sharif also highlighted the role of Pakistan's Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir, saying his "tireless efforts, selfless dedication and instrumental role were critical in facilitating this breakthrough and advancing the cause of peace and regional stability". He added: "May this Memorandum of Understanding serve as an enduring foundation for greater understanding, mutual respect and shared prosperity for the complete region."

Meanwhile, Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar held telephone talks with senior leaders from several countries, including Canada, Bahrain and Turkiye, on the signing of the MoU with Pakistan as a witness. In a post on Dar's conversation with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, Pakistan's Foreign Office said: "FM Anita Anand commended Pakistan's constructive role in supporting diplomatic engagement and mediation efforts between the United States and Iran, which helped facilitate the understanding reached between the two parties." It added: "They also discussed the forthcoming engagement between the parties in Burgenstock, Switzerland on Friday." The developments capped a process in which Pakistan took on a central mediation role as the US and Iran moved towards a formal agreement.

With PTI Inputs

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