PM Shehbaz hopes a peace deal will be reached soon as Iran’s Pezeshkian expresses appreciation for Pakistan’s role in the negotiations.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday expressed hope to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian that a peace deal between the United States and the Islamic republic would materialize soon, as the latter appreciated Pakistan’s role in the negotiations so far.

In recent months, Pakistan has attracted international attention for its involvement in mediation efforts between Iran and the United States amid the Middle East crisis. On February 28, the United States and Israel launched a joint offensive against Iran. Tehran retaliated with attacks on Israel and other Gulf countries hosting American assets.

Pakistan subsequently positioned itself as a key mediator for peace, negotiating a two-week ceasefire and hosting the highest-level talks between the United States and Iran since the Islamic Revolution of 1979. Although the “Islamabad Talks” ended without an agreement, the ceasefire was held and later extended at Islamabad’s request. Since then, the two sides have been exchanging proposals and counterproposals in an effort to reach a middle ground and resume a second round of direct talks aimed at ending the conflict, which has already disrupted global energy supplies and daily life across the region.

In a post today on X, the government said the Iranian president called Prime Minister Shehbaz to exchange greetings for Eidul Azha.

“During their warm and cordial conversation that lasted for around thirty minutes, the two leaders exchanged Eid greetings and conveyed their best wishes to each other, the people of their two countries and the Muslim Ummah on this happy occasion.

“The Iranian President expressed his deep gratitude to Prime Minister and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for Pakistan’s important role in efforts to bring peace to the region,” the statement said.

He added that he also appreciated the fact that other countries in the region, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkiye, were also involved in these peace efforts.

“The Prime Minister appreciated the Iranian President’s kind words for him and his team and stated that Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir had certainly made untiring efforts to bring peace to the region.”

In a separate post on

He further said, “I reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the brotherly people of Iran over the tragic loss of precious lives during the current crisis and emphasized that Pakistan will always stand by Iran as a sincere friend and neighbor.”

Prime Minister Shehbaz said the two agreed to remain in close coordination in pursuit of lasting peace in the region.

“While appreciating Pakistan’s important role in ongoing regional peace efforts, the crown prince said Kuwait fully supports Pakistan,” a statement on the government’s X account said.

Prime Minister Shehbaz later said he reiterated Pakistan’s solidarity with the leadership and people of Kuwait over the loss of life and property resulting from attacks during the current conflict. “We discussed the current regional situation and underlined the importance of dialogue, diplomacy and collective efforts for lasting peace and stability,” he said.

According to the PMO, the crown prince said the Qatari emir was “full of praise and respect for the prime minister and wished Pakistan every success in peace efforts.”

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Prime Minister acknowledged and appreciated Pakistan’s “remarkable role” in the ceasefire in the Gulf and the ongoing peace efforts to ensure a lasting peace settlement in the region.

“He prayed to Allah to give more strength and success to the Prime Minister and his team. While thanking his Malaysian counterpart for strongly supporting Pakistan’s peace initiative, the Prime Minister briefed Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim about the latest developments in the peace efforts.”

Prime Minister Shehbaz said he thanked Prime Minister Ibrahim for “Malaysia’s strong support for Pakistan’s sincere peace efforts” and exchanged views on the latest regional developments.

“I emphasized that the progress achieved so far would not have been possible without the support of brotherly countries, including Malaysia, while also acknowledging the tireless efforts of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar in advancing the peace process. We also expressed deep concern over the ongoing humanitarian situation in Gaza and Lebanon, and reaffirmed our shared commitment to peace, dialogue and diplomacy.”

According to the PMO, the Malaysian prime minister was “effusive in his praise of Pakistan’s peace initiative, which he said was in line with the ideology and vision of the Quaid-e-Azam.”