Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met with Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday, reaffirming the deep and longstanding bonds between Pakistan and Iran while calling for restraint amid an increasingly volatile regional landscape.
In a post on X, the prime minister said he deeply valued President Pezeshkian’s commitment to Pakistan-Iran friendship and to close coordination between the two countries for regional peace “at this critical juncture.”
“It was a pleasure to meet my dear brother, President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, in New York today on the sidelines of UNGA,” Sharif wrote. “We reaffirmed the deep and longstanding bonds between Pakistan and Iran and our shared desire to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across all areas of mutual interest.”
Commitment to Islamabad Memorandum
The prime minister said both sides remained committed to building on the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and would continue to play a “sincere and constructive role in the pursuit of lasting peace and stability in the region.”
According to Sharif, the two leaders held an important exchange on the evolving regional situation. He reiterated Pakistan’s deep concern over the prolonged conflict and stressed the urgent need for restraint, de-escalation and sustained diplomacy.
The meeting was attended by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi.
Diplomatic Push Between Washington and Tehran
The talks came as Pakistan continues diplomatic efforts to help ease tensions between the United States and Iran and facilitate the resumption of dialogue between the two sides. Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to playing a constructive role in diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing regional tensions.
Speaking to NBC News and other news organizations at the UN General Assembly, President Pezeshkian said Tehran wants to revive a ceasefire understanding with the United States before November’s midterm elections.
“We don’t want it to get to the midterm elections,” Pezeshkian said. “We wish Americans to return to the MOU before the midterms,” he added, referring to a memorandum of understanding signed in June that outlined plans for a temporary ceasefire but later collapsed.
President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he believed Tehran was delaying an agreement until after the elections. “They’re waiting to see how I do in the midterm election,” Trump told the UN General Assembly.
In the same exchange with reporters, Pezeshkian said Iran was open to inspections of its nuclear facilities and denied that his government sought to assassinate Trump or members of his family.
Foreign Ministers Discuss Bilateral Ties
Earlier, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi to discuss bilateral relations and regional developments. The two foreign ministers also exchanged views on key regional and international issues.
Dar stressed the importance of dialogue, diplomacy and sustained engagement in promoting regional peace and stability, according to officials. The two sides agreed to maintain close communication and continue engagement on matters of mutual interest.
The meetings underscore Islamabad’s continued diplomatic engagement with Tehran amid heightened regional tensions and efforts to promote dialogue and stability.
