PM Shehbaz Urges Restraint Amid Middle East Tensions, Calls Iranian President

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday called on Iran and all other parties involved in the Middle East conflict to exercise restraint and avoid jeopardising “hard-earned peace gains” achieved in recent months.

The Prime Minister conveyed this message during a telephone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. He expressed deep concern over the recent escalation in tensions and underscored the urgent need to restore regional peace and stability.

The escalation follows Iranian attacks on at least three ships in the strategic Strait of Hormuz in recent days. This prompted extensive US strikes on Iranian targets on Tuesday and Wednesday, which were then followed by retaliatory attacks by Iran on Gulf countries.

PM Sharif stressed the importance of upholding commitments made under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), describing it as an enduring framework for promoting mutual understanding, respect, and shared prosperity in the region and beyond.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif assured President Pezeshkian of Islamabad’s readiness to continue playing an honest and sincere role in facilitating dialogue and supporting all peace efforts between Washington and Tehran.

During the call, President Pezeshkian thanked the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, and other senior Pakistani leaders for attending the funeral ceremony of the late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He also reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to peace and appreciated Pakistan’s constructive support and sincere efforts for regional stability. Both leaders also reviewed the implementation of decisions made during their previous interactions.