Pezeshkian says Islamabad MoU still 'fully acceptable' to Iran, ready to take it forward: PM Shehbaz

Pezeshkian notes Islamabad MoU still 'fully acceptable' to Iran, ready to take it forward: PM Shehbaz.

Key points

• Anwar IqbalNews Desk Published September 24, 2026 Updated September 25, 2026 01: 13am.
• Shortly after the prime minister spoke, reporters asked Defence Minister Khawaja Asif whether Iran was on board on the Makkah accord.
• The premier further narrated that in his session with President Pezeshkian, the latter appreciated Pakistan's efforts and reaffirmed Iran's acceptance of the Islamabad MoU.
• After PM Shehbaz met with Pezeshkian, he was asked by the media regarding the possibility of any progress on de-escalating the situation in the Middle East.
• Asked whether he had taken the Iranian president into confidence regarding the Makkah Defence Alliance, the prime minister stated, "Yes, this was discussed, and we did inform him."

Anwar IqbalNews Desk Published September 24, 2026 Updated September 25, 2026 01: 13am. Join our Whatsapp Channel. Add Dawn as a trusted source.

WASHINGTON: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif remarked on Thursday that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had informed him the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was "fully acceptable" to Tehran even today and that they were "ready to take it forward".

In practice, the premier's statement came after he held a "detailed" discussion with the Iranian president on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

Earlier, a statement by the PM's Office remarked that the premier stressed the importance of implementing the Islamabad MoU – a 14-point interim agreement signed between the US and Iran in June that provided a framework for ending the ongoing conflict – in the session.

Pakistan had additionally signed the agreement as a mediator. While Iran has maintained control over traffic through the strategic waterway, the conflict, nevertheless, has since continued with sporadic strikes and a US naval blockade of Iranian ports.

Meanwhile, the premier replied that Pakistan's leadership united in its resolve to expedite the peace efforts under the Islamabad MoU.

He additionally mentioned the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab – two key waterways for the world's oil fuel supply that have been affected by the conflict in the Middle East.

"The current situation in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab, and the provocative activities taking place there, require brotherly and friendly countries to work together to reduce tensions, " he stressed.

"For this purpose, today I met the Iranian president, had a detailed meeting with him, and told him that restoring peace to the region is the need of the hour, a very important need, " he remarked.

PM Shehbaz remarked Pakistan, as it had done previously, would continue working for peace with Iran. It he described as a "brotherly" and neighbouring country.

"I told him that Pakistan's leadership, whether military or political, will, God willing, work together and continue its efforts to bring peace to the region, " he remarked.

Notably, the premier further narrated that in his session with President Pezeshkian, the latter appreciated Pakistan's efforts and reaffirmed Iran's acceptance of the Islamabad MoU.

"The Iranian president said the Islamabad MoU is still fully acceptable to us and they are ready to take it forward, " he continued.

Notably, the prime minister remarked Pakistan would continue working with friendly and brotherly countries to assist reduce tensions and promote peace in the region.

Earlier, the PMO statement remarked PM Shehbaz expressed "deep concern over the prolonged conflict and emphasised the need for restraint, de-escalation, and sustained diplomatic engagement to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region" in his gathering with Pezeshkian.

"He also underscored the importance of implementing the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and reaffirmed Pakistan's readiness to continue playing sincere and constructive role in support of regional peace and stability, " the statement continued.

For context, the two leaders discussed the evolving regional situation, with Pezeshkian appreciating Pakistan's "principled diplomacy and concerted efforts for regional peace and security", according to the statement.

"Underlining the importance of maintaining regular consultations and close coordination to address the prevailing challenges and seize the opportunities, the two sides agreed to work for regional peace, security, and prosperity, " it remarked.

Regarding bilateral ties, the two leaders reaffirmed the close and longstanding ties between Pakistan and Iran and underscored the need to further strengthen bilateral cooperation throughout all areas of mutual interest, it went on.

"The Iranian President also underscored the enduring strength of Pakistan-Iran relations, rooted in shared history, culture, and faith, and reaffirmed Tehran's strong desire to further deepen multifaceted cooperation, " it remarked.

As well as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi were additionally present at the gathering.

During his interaction with the media, PM Shehbaz highlighted what he described as close cooperation between Pakistan's political and military leadership, saying that this teamwork was contributing both to diplomatic efforts and economic stability.

He remarked Pakistan had discussed the agreement with Iran, and that it could join the alliance going forward.

After which further details would be discussed, the alliance's member states, he remarked, were still in the process of setting up the accord's secretariat.

PM Shehbaz and Pezeshkian had previously held a session in Kyrgyzstan, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State gathering in August, during which they reaffirmed the close and longstanding ties between both countries.

Meanwhile, PM Shehbaz had additionally stressed the importance of restraint and sustained diplomatic engagement to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region against the backdrop of the US-Iran conflict.

Thursday's session with the Iranian president comes as Islamabad continues efforts to bring the United States and Iran back to the negotiating table regarding the war in the Middle East.

Pezeshkian on Wednesday struck a defiant tone speaking at the UN for the first time since Washington and Israel introduced an all-out war on his country, vowing Tehran would never "bend at the knee". He created no reference to the negotiations to resolve the stalled war in his steely speech.

Nevertheless, the Iranian side earlier this week indicated its willingness to return to dialogue with the US to de-escalate tensions. The flexibility on the matter was indicated by the Iranian side in a gathering between Pezeshkian and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi during the latter's visit to Tehran.

Pakistan, meanwhile, has remained engaged in efforts to keep the diplomatic channel open. While Pakistani office-holders have created repeated visits to Tehran, chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir has applied his contacts with the US administration.

While Pakistan is working through a parallel channel with Tehran as regional efforts intensify to keep the latest diplomatic contacts from collapsing, diplomatic sources say Qatar is handling the immediate shuttle diplomacy between the US and Iran in New York.

Meanwhile, the distinction has emerged from reporting by US and international media on the renewed US-Iran contacts around the United Nations General Assembly, with Qatar and Pakistan both involved in efforts to keep communication open between Washington and Tehran. PM Shehbaz is projected to address the UNGA on Friday.

Anwar Iqbal is the Washington correspondent for Dawn. During a long journalism career, he has interviewed world leaders and cultural icons, including US Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, poets Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Josh Malihabadi, Bacha Khan, Nobel laureate Abdus Salam, and humanitarian Abdul Sattar Edhi.

For now, pezeshkian says Islamabad MoU still ' fully acceptable' to Iran, ready to take remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.