Iran, Pakistan Pledge to Strengthen Ties and Regional Peace Amid US-Iran Mediation

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Pakistani leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation and promoting regional stability, during Pezeshkian's first state visit to Pakistan following recent regional conflicts. The visit, which took place on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, included meetings with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

In a joint press conference with Prime Minister Sharif, President Pezeshkian expressed Iran's gratitude for Pakistan's mediation efforts in facilitating dialogue between Tehran and Washington. "The government and people of Iran are grateful for the efforts, support and solidarity shown by the government and people of Pakistan," Pezeshkian said, emphasizing Pakistan's role in reducing tensions and strengthening regional stability.

President Zardari welcomed Pezeshkian's visit, calling it a reflection of the longstanding brotherly relations between the two countries. He congratulated the Iranian president on the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, which aims to advance the peace process between the United States and Iran, and expressed hope that ongoing technical-level negotiations will contribute to lasting peace and stability in the region.

During their talks, the two leaders discussed regional peace and security, bilateral and regional connectivity, and economic cooperation. President Zardari reiterated Pakistan's principled support for Iran's peace, stability, national unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and emphasized Pakistan's consistent advocacy for dialogue and diplomacy as the most effective means of addressing regional and global challenges.

President Pezeshkian expressed confidence that, by joining efforts, Islamic countries could establish a new regional security architecture, with countries such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey playing effective roles in forming this structure. He also praised the great potential for developing bilateral relations between Tehran and Islamabad, noting that the two countries currently have the opportunity to take relations to another level, backed by their leaders.