PAKISTAN is actively working to restore the Iran-United States peace process following the collapse of a landmark framework agreement that it had spent months brokering. The road from the initial Islamabad Talks to a signed Memorandum of Understanding — and its subsequent suspension — reflects both the complexity of this conflict and the indispensable role Pakistan continues to play.
The first round of negotiations, hosted by Pakistan on April 11–12, 2026, marked a historic breakthrough. Although the talks lasted 21 hours and did not culminate in a formal agreement, they represented significant progress, as the two adversaries engaged in direct dialogue for the first time in 47 years since the Islamic Revolution of 1979. The two sides were reportedly able to agree on most points of a ceasefire framework, with the exception of issues regarding the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear programme. The first phase of the Islamabad Talks could nonetheless be considered a success in laying a solid foundation for future engagement.
The aftermath, however, proved difficult. Following the breakdown of talks, US President Donald Trump imposed a naval blockade on Iran on April 13, interdicting ships entering or departing Iranian ports. Washington’s position hardened further when Trump cancelled a planned visit by his envoys, signalling a reluctance to return to the table. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in a phone call with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, insisted that Washington must first remove the blockade before any new talks could begin. The US naval blockade compounded the crisis and ran contrary to established principles of international law, further deepening mistrust between the two sides.
Despite these setbacks, Pakistan launched an intensive diplomatic campaign to revive the dialogue. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif continued his regional outreach, engaging Gulf States and building the necessary political support for a return to negotiations. Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir, simultaneously maintained direct and sustained engagement with Iranian leadership, focusing on rebuilding trust and addressing contentious issues including the nuclear programme and the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Islamabad during this period, holding meetings with both Field Marshal Munir and PM Sharif and reaffirmed Tehran’s willingness to continue dialogue provided US preconditions were removed.
These persistent efforts eventually bore fruit. PM Shehbaz Sharif announced on June 12 that the US and Iran had reached agreement on the final text of a peace deal. On June 15, US Vice President JD Vance confirmed the memorandum had been digitally signed. On June 17, President Trump and Iranian President Pezeshkian signed the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding — Trump doing so at the Palace of Versailles following the G7 Summit and Pezeshkian signing simultaneously in Tehran.
The MOU set out a 14-point framework governing an immediate cessation of hostilities, interim economic measures and a structured 60-day negotiation process covering freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes and sanctions. It was primarily brokered by Pakistan, with facilitation from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt. The signing was celebrated as a landmark achievement and a vindication of Pakistan’s months of painstaking diplomatic effort.
Regrettably, the agreement proved fragile. The Strait of Hormuz quickly emerged as the critical sticking point. Just over a week after signing, Iran launched a drone strike against a ship in the Strait, which the US interpreted as a ceasefire violation, prompting retaliatory strikes. The core dispute remained unchanged: Washington and Tehran remained deeply divided over who controls passage through the Strait and under what conditions. Iran maintained that the MOU granted it authority over transit through the waterway, while the United States rejected that interpretation. On July 18, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi announced the suspension of Iran’s commitments under the MOU, citing alleged US breaches of its obligations.
Yet Pakistan has not abandoned the process. The Foreign Office reaffirmed its commitment to encouraging all sides to end violence and resume technical-level talks under the MOU. In late July, Iran’s Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni visited Islamabad with a special message from President Masoud Pezeshkian, meeting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir. China has also aligned itself with Pakistan’s position, with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar jointly urging all parties to cease hostilities, remove obstacles and resume dialogue. Encouragingly, Iran has clarified that it has suspended, not withdrawn from, negotiations and remains ready to continue talks under the MOU framework. A new round of negotiations in Islamabad or Doha is now under active consideration.
Pakistan’s proactive diplomacy is rooted in several strategic considerations. It seeks to prevent further destruction in Iran and the Gulf, contribute to global peace, avert a wider conflict involving major powers such as China and Russia, prevent broader confrontation between Iran and the Gulf Cooperation Council states and help stabilize global energy markets disrupted by tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts have been widely acknowledged, with both US and Iranian leaders expressing appreciation for Islamabad’s constructive role and the sustained engagement of Field Marshal Asim Munir. At a time when major powers and international organizations have struggled to mediate effectively, Pakistan has emerged as a credible and trusted intermediary for both sides. The MOU—however fragile—would not have existed without Pakistan’s persistence. As Islamabad continues its diplomatic push to revive the framework, there remains genuine hope for a peaceful resolution to a long-standing conflict. Success would not only enhance Pakistan’s international standing but also contribute meaningfully to regional and global stability.
SOURCE:https://pakobserver.net/pakistans-diplomatic-role-in-iran-us-peace-process/
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