Pakistan to continue ‘sincere efforts’ for peace, PM tells Pezeshkian after setback in US-Iran talks

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday told Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian that Pakistan would continue its “sincere and serious” efforts for peace in the region after the latest setback in talks between the United States and the Islamic republic.

The development comes after US President Donald Trump cancelled a planned visit by envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff to Pakistan for talks with Iranian officials. The Iranian foreign minister also left the country after a visit with senior officials.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, PM Shehbaz and the Iranian president held a 50-minute “warm and cordial” telephone conversation on Saturday evening, during which they exchanged views on the prevailing regional situation and ongoing efforts for peace and stability.

Reiterating Pakistan’s position, the prime minister said: “Pakistan would continue its sincere and honest endeavours to promote regional peace and security.”

It added that PM Shehbaz appreciated the participation of the high-level Iranian delegation in talks held in Islamabad on April 11–12, while also welcoming Iran’s decision to send a delegation led by FM Araghchi to Islamabad today.

Sharing details of his diplomatic outreach, the premier said his contacts with world leaders had helped build “broader consensus in support of sustained dialogue and diplomacy aimed at achieving lasting peace in the war-affected region”.

He also lauded the “fruitful discussions” held between the Iranian leadership and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir during the latter’s recent visit to Tehran earlier this month.

President Pezeshkian thanked PM Shehbaz, CDF Munir and FM Ishaq Dar for their “significant contribution to the peace efforts”. He also expressed Iran’s desire for peace and said he was confident that “the fraternal ties between Iran and Pakistan would continue to strengthen and expand in the future”.

The prime minister also conveyed his “respectful greetings and regards” to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.

Both leaders agreed to remain in close contact and continue coordination on matters of mutual interest.

The prime minister said in a later post on X that he had a “warm and constructive telephone exchange” on the evolving regional situation.

“I appreciated Iran’s continued engagement, including the high-level delegation to Islamabad led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, whom I had the pleasure of meeting earlier today. I reaffirmed that, with the support of friends and partners, Pakistan remains committed to serve as an honest and sincere facilitator – working tirelessly to advance durable peace and lasting stability in the region.”