LBy Dr Lubna Farah
Islamabad: In a landmark diplomatic breakthrough, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has formally signed the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as a mediator, paving the way for a significant de-escalation of tensions between the United States and Iran.
The agreement, also signed by U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, is being hailed as a major step toward global peace and regional stability.
According to official details shared by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on X, the Islamabad MoU comes into force immediately and outlines a phased framework aimed at reducing military tensions and restoring normal maritime activity in the Gulf region.
Under the first phase of the agreement, Iran will immediately reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz to international shipping traffic, ensuring the uninterrupted flow of global energy supplies and commercial trade.
In return, the United States has agreed to lift its ongoing naval blockade measures against Iran, marking the first concrete confidence-building step under the new arrangement.
The Prime Minister further announced that Pakistan, in coordination with co-mediator Qatar, will host a formal ceremony in Switzerland on Friday to commemorate the signing of the agreement. The event will also mark the launch of technical-level negotiations between Washington and Tehran, aimed at addressing broader political, economic, and security issues.
Describing the development as a triumph of diplomacy over confrontation, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended both President Trump and President Pezeshkian for demonstrating statesmanship and choosing the path of dialogue and peace. He emphasized that the agreement represents a historic diplomatic achievement that could reshape regional dynamics and contribute to long-term international stability.
Political observers view the Islamabad MoU as one of the most significant diplomatic initiatives in recent years, with the potential to reduce tensions in the Middle East, safeguard critical global trade routes, and open a new chapter in U.S.–Iran relations.
The Prime Minister concluded by expressing hope that the agreement would serve as a foundation for lasting peace, economic cooperation, and constructive engagement among nations, adding that history would remember the accord as a milestone achieved through dialogue, mediation, and mutual understanding.
