ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday expressed hope that Pakistan would host the next round of Iran-US negotiations “very soon” as he praised US President Donald Trump for his ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at securing regional peace.
In a statement shared on social media, the premier congratulated Trump on his “extraordinary efforts to pursue peace” and described a recent telephone conversation involving regional leaders as “very useful and productive”.
According to PM Shehbaz, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Syed Asim Munir represented Pakistan during the high-level call, which also included leaders from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Türkiye, Egypt, United Arab Emirates and Jordan.
The prime minister appreciated Field Marshal Munir’s “tireless efforts” in the mediation process and said the discussions provided an opportunity to exchange views on the evolving regional situation and ongoing peace efforts.
“Pakistan will continue its peace efforts with utmost sincerity and we hope to host the next round of talks very soon,” PM Shehbaz stated.
His remarks came shortly after President Trump said on Truth Social that he had held a “very good call” with regional leaders regarding Iran and an emerging memorandum of understanding linked to peace efforts.
Trump claimed that a broad agreement had largely been negotiated between the United States, Iran and several regional countries, adding that the final details were still under discussion.
He also said the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened as part of the proposed arrangement.
However, Iran’s Fars News Agency disputed Trump’s statement regarding the waterway, saying Iran would retain management of the Strait and describing claims about US control as inconsistent with reality.
Trump further revealed that he had separately spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, describing the conversation as positive.
The latest diplomatic contacts come amid intensified international efforts to prevent renewed conflict in the Middle East following months of hostilities triggered by US-Israeli strikes on Iran earlier this year.
Pakistan has emerged as a central mediator in the crisis and previously brokered a temporary ceasefire between Washington and Tehran on April 8 before hosting direct talks in Islamabad on April 11 and 12.
Although those discussions ended without a final agreement, Islamabad continued backchannel diplomacy aimed at narrowing differences between the two sides.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations, recent meetings held by Field Marshal Asim Munir with Iran’s leadership in Tehran contributed meaningfully towards the mediation process and produced “encouraging progress towards a final understanding”.
During his visit, the army chief met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni as part of ongoing diplomatic consultations focused on regional peace and stability.