Pakistan, Iran vow closer ties after landmark peace deal

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian vowed closer bilateral ties during a phone call lasting more than 30 minutes on Thursday, according to Pakistan's Prime Minister's Office. It was their first conversation since signing a peace deal aimed at ending the conflict between Iran, the United States and Israel.

What did Sharif and Pezeshkian agree on?

Sharif congratulated Pezeshkian on what he called a historic peace agreement, pledging Pakistan's continued support for Iran's stability, reconstruction and future cooperation. Pezeshkian thanked Sharif and Pakistan's military chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, for their pivotal role in mediating the deal, and both leaders agreed to exchange visits soon.

What did Sharif and Pezeshkian say about Pakistan-Iran ties?

Sharif also sent his regards to Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Sayyid Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei, and praised Tehran's decision to join the agreement. He expressed confidence in the next phase of negotiations and assured Iran of Pakistan's continued support as a neighboring and brotherly country.

Speaking on behalf of the Iranian nation and personally, Pezeshkian said Tehran would always remember Pakistan's constructive and sincere support during a difficult period. He also said he wanted to further strengthen bilateral ties across all areas of mutual interest, and conveyed his best wishes to the people of Pakistan. Both leaders agreed to remain in close contact to advance bilateral cooperation and regional peace efforts.

What does the Pakistan-brokered peace deal include?

The call came hours after leaders formally signed the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, a deal intended to end weeks of conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran. Trump signed the agreement during a ceremony with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palace of Versailles outside Paris. Pezeshkian signed separately, according to Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei.

Pakistan, which helped mediate the agreement, said the accord took effect immediately and would lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route heavily disrupted during the conflict. A two-month negotiating period has now begun, focused on maritime security and talks over Iran's nuclear program.

Under the agreement, Washington has committed to immediately waiving oil sanctions on Iran. If a final nuclear agreement is reached, the United States would also support the release of a $300 billion reconstruction fund backed by regional countries.

What issues remain unresolved under the deal?

UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi said the agency was ready to define the practical steps required to implement the accord. U.S. officials said Iran would dilute its enriched uranium stockpiles under supervision of the UN atomic agency. Iran's ballistic missile program was not included in the agreement.

Baqaei said Iranian missiles were only for firing, not for negotiation, and that the country's defense capabilities would not be discussed with any party. The agreement also refers to Lebanon as part of a broader regional settlement, though it remains unclear whether that issue will be addressed during the 60-day negotiating period. Violence along the Israel-Lebanon front has eased since the accord was announced, though Lebanese state media reported that an Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon killed one person on Thursday.