Pakistan has once again launched a diplomatic push to save recently signed Islamabad MoU from collapsing after the United States and Iran traded strikes this week, with the Iranian armed forces launching attacks on US military infrastructure in Gulf states following US strikes on Iran’s southern coastal and eastern provinces.
In this connection, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a warm and cordial telephone conversation with the Amir of the State of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
During their discussion, the prime minister expressed his deep concern over the recent escalation in tensions in the region. While conveying Pakistan’s solidarity and support with the people of Qatar on the recent attacks, the Prime Minister stressed upon all parties to exercise restraint and refrain from any actions that could undermine peace in the region.
The Prime Minister conveyed Pakistan’s sincere gratitude to His Highness the Amir for Qatar’s consistent and steadfast support in the peace efforts that culminated in the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and the first round of high-level technical talks at Burgenstock.
The two leaders agreed upon the importance of sustained diplomatic engagement and dialogue, and adherence to the commitments made by all parties under the peace memorandum.
His Highness the Amir thanked the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for playing a leading role for peace in the region and assured him of Qatar’s continued support in this regard.
Earlier, Shehbaz Sharif spoke to Iran’s President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian over the phone.
During their warm and cordial conversation, the Prime Minister expressed deep concern over the recent escalation in tensions in the region and underscored the urgent need to restore regional peace and stability. He called on Iran and all other parties to exercise restraint and refrain from any action that could jeopardize the hard-earned peace gains achieved over the past few months.
The Prime Minister stressed the importance of upholding the commitments undertaken under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), describing it as an enduring framework for promoting mutual understanding, respect and shared prosperity in the region and beyond. Reaffirming Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to regional peace, the Prime Minister assured President Pezeshkian of Pakistan’s readiness to continue playing an honest and sincere role in facilitating dialogue and supporting all efforts aimed at preserving peace and stability.
President Pezeshkian thanked the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and other senior Pakistani leaders for attending the funeral ceremony of the late Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. He also reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to peace and appreciated Pakistan’s constructive support and sincere efforts for regional stability.
The two leaders also reviewed the implementation of the decisions taken during President Pezeshkian’s visit to Islamabad last month and agreed to expedite follow-up actions to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across diverse fields.
The Prime Minister conveyed his respectful regards and best wishes for His Eminence Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei.
Both leaders agreed to remain in close contact and continue consultations on matters of mutual interest and regional peace.
This comes after US President Donald Trump Friday said the United States had agreed to talks with Iran after Tehran asked to continue negotiations, while stressing that the June ceasefire between the two nations was over.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has asked us to continue ‘talks.’ We have agreed to do so, but the United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the Cease Fire is OVER!” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
Qatar has also called on the United States and Iran to honour their memorandum of understanding and continue dialogue to prevent further escalation, according to Al Jazeera.
Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani said in a post on X that he made the appeal during a phone call with Egypt’s Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty.
He also emphasised the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, warning that maintaining safe passage is vital for regional security.
Earlier, the IRGC’s top commander pledged vengeance against the US and Israel for the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, saying it won’t “be erased from the historical memory”.
The IRGC’s top commander has pledged vengeance against the US and Israel for the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, saying it won’t “be erased from the historical memory”.
According to Al Jazeera, Brigadier-General Ahmad Vahidi called for the “full realisation of justice and a fitting response to the criminals, especially the child-killing American army”.
“The criminal leaders of America and all enemies of the Islamic Revolution and the Resistance Front must know that by the cowardly assassination of this divine leader they will never … bring the flag of resistance to the ground,” Vahidi said in a statement carried by Sepah news agency.
“Avenging the martyrs and the punishment of the perpetrators … will remain a definitive, legitimate, and an unforgettable demand.” Vahidi’s comments come after Khamenei was buried in his hometown of Mashhad on Thursday, four months after he and four family members died in US-Israeli air strikes.