Pakistan rallies regional support as US-Iran accord enters final stretch

• Dar engages Turkish, Egyptian and Saudi counterparts on latest regional developments

• Cairo and Ankara welcome encouraging progress towards understanding between Washington and Tehran

• Draft pact reportedly covers sanctions waivers, frozen assets and nuclear limits

• Hope grows for lasting regional peace as agreement nears signing

 

 ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday intensified Pakistan's diplomatic engagement with key regional capitals, holding separate telephone conversations with his Turkish and Egyptian counterparts as momentum built towards a potential US-Iran peace agreement, amid growing optimism that the anticipated accord could help avert a wider regional conflict and open a path towards lasting stability.

The diplomatic outreach came a day after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed confidence that the proposed "peace deal" between Iran and the United States could be finalised within the next 24 hours. However, Iran's foreign ministry maintained that there were currently no plans for its negotiating team to travel to Geneva or Islamabad in the coming days to sign the agreement, Al Jazeera reported.

According to the Foreign Office (FO), Dar and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan exchanged views on the evolving regional situation and welcomed the encouraging progress towards an understanding between Washington and Tehran.

Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 held a telephone conversation last night with the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Türkiye, Hakan Fidan @HakanFidan.

The two leaders exchanged views on the evolving regional situation and… pic.twitter.com/8rVjWcM35g

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) June 14, 2026

Both leaders expressed hope that the positive developments would pave the way for lasting peace and stability in the region and agreed to remain in close contact regarding further developments, the FO said in a post on X.

In a separate telephone conversation, Dar spoke with Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr Badr Abdelatty. The two leaders reviewed the latest regional developments, including progress towards an understanding between the United States and Iran.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), both sides voiced hope that the ongoing developments would contribute to lasting peace, security and stability across the region. Dar and Abdelatty also agreed to maintain close coordination and consultations in the days ahead.

Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 spoke last night with the Foreign Minister of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Dr. Badr Abdelatty.

The two leaders discussed the latest regional developments, including progress towards an understanding… pic.twitter.com/bzG0qEFHQA

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) June 14, 2026

The latest diplomatic contacts followed an important conversation a day earlier between Dar and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.

“DPM and FM Ishaq Dar and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held a telephonic conversation and welcomed progress in the US-Iran negotiations, with an ‘electronic signing ceremony’ expected to take place tomorrow,” the FO said in a post on X.

Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 held a telephone conversation today with the Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prince Faisal bin Farhan @faisalbinfarhan.

They welcomed the US–Iran negotiations in their final stage,… pic.twitter.com/k3avNjwAxe

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) June 13, 2026

According to the FO, both sides welcomed the negotiations entering their final stage.

“They welcomed the US-Iran negotiations in their final stage, with the electronic signing ceremony scheduled for tomorrow, and expressed the hope that this important development will contribute to lasting peace and stability in the region,” the statement said.

During the conversation, the Saudi foreign minister appreciated Pakistan's “consistent and sustained efforts in support of mediation and dialogue throughout the process.”

Iranian official outlines key elements of draft accord

Meanwhile, a senior Iranian official told Reuters that a final draft memorandum of understanding with the United States covers a broad range of issues, including Tehran's nuclear programme, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, sanctions relief and the release of frozen Iranian assets, with negotiations on a comprehensive agreement expected to continue for 60 days after the initial understanding is reached.

According to the official, the draft memorandum includes the following provisions:

Strait of Hormuz: Iran would immediately reopen the Strait of Hormuz to all commercial vessels, while the United States would lift its naval blockade on Iranian ports.

Financial measures: The United States would refrain from imposing any new sanctions on Iran until a final agreement is concluded. Washington would also grant waivers on Iranian oil sanctions for a specified period, enabling Tehran to export oil and access related revenues.

The US has also agreed to release $25 billion in frozen Iranian assets through a combination of direct cash transfers, regional financial cooperation and credit facilities.

Nuclear commitments: Tehran has agreed that it will neither produce nor acquire nuclear weapons.

Iran has also agreed to maintain the nuclear status quo until a final agreement is reached, including by refraining from uranium enrichment and expansion of its nuclear facilities. The United States, in turn, has agreed that Iran will dilute its stockpile of highly enriched uranium within the country, with the mechanism to be finalised during discussions over the next 60 days.

On Saturday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the proposed peace deal between Iran and the United States was expected to be finalised within the next 24 hours, a day after announcing that a “final, agreed-upon” text had been reached between Tehran and Washington.

His remarks came despite Iran's foreign ministry stating that there were no plans at present for Iranian negotiators to travel to Geneva or Islamabad to sign the accord, according to Al Jazeera.

On Friday, the prime minister said a “final, agreed-upon” text of the peace deal had been completed, adding that Islamabad was working closely with both sides to finalise the remaining procedural arrangements.

“We are closer to a peace deal than ever before,” the premier wrote on X, adding that Pakistan was preparing for the “electronic signing” of the agreement, to be followed by “technical-level talks”.

“We would like to thank the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran for their ongoing commitment during the negotiations, and we extend our sincere appreciation to our brothers in the region for their support,” he said.

“We are confident that this historic peace deal will form a strong foundation for lasting peace,” he added.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received a telephone call from Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, who paid tribute to the premier and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir for what he described as their instrumental role in advancing diplomatic efforts, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

“The prime minister expressed his deep appreciation for Qatar's strong and steadfast support for Pakistan's peace efforts throughout the Gulf crisis and stated that a peace deal was ready for signatures by the relevant parties very shortly,” the PMO said.

Sheikh Mohammed assured Prime Minister Shehbaz that Qatar was proud to support Pakistan's peace initiative and expressed hope that the agreement would help bring lasting peace to the region.

The two leaders agreed to remain in close contact in the coming days.