Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met with top civilian and military leaders in Pakistan on Tuesday, focusing his one-day visit on regional developments and peace negotiations involving the US. The President held separate discussions with President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir.
The Road to Peace and Switzerland Talks
At a joint press conference following delegation-level talks, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that a potential US-Iran peace deal would significantly alter the region's outlook. The visit comes on the heels of discussions held in Switzerland, where both nations agreed on a roadmap intended to finalize a peace agreement within a 60-day window.
The technical talks in Switzerland took place during the Lake Lucerne Summit, operating under the framework of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This MoU, signed by the US and Iran last Thursday, is designed to restore peace in West Asia and address various regional security disputes.
Mediation Roles and Strategic Clarity
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that the cessation of conflict has provided regional relief, framing Pakistan as an honest mediator. Addressing media queries regarding Iran's military capabilities, the Prime Minister noted that Iran's ballistic missile program was not a subject of discussion between the US and Iran. He remarked that it was unreasonable to expect Iran to refrain from missile development when others possess such technology.
Masoud Pezeshkian stressed that Iran-Pakistan relations are founded on mutual respect and trust, noting that recent events have provided a new trajectory for their partnership. According to TrendKia, the Iranian President expressed deep appreciation for Pakistan's support, stating that these diplomatic breakthroughs would not have been possible without Pakistan's efforts. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also requested that Masoud Pezeshkian convey warm regards to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.
High-Level Coordination and Security
The delegation meetings included high-ranking officials such as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. During his meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari, Masoud Pezeshkian discussed economic cooperation and regional stability, while President Asif Ali Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan's backing for Iran's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Upon entering Pakistani airspace, Masoud Pezeshkian's aircraft was escorted by JF-17 Thunder jets. Security in Islamabad remained exceptionally tight throughout the visit, with authorities temporarily closing city bus terminals to control movement. In a post on X, Masoud Pezeshkian warned against deviating from agreed commitments, emphasizing that progress depends on precise implementation. Additionally, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed plans to visit Iran next month to attend the funeral of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
