WASHINGTON: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Thursday that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had told him that the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was “fully acceptable” to Tehran even today and that they were “ready to take it forward”.

The premier’s statement came after he held a “detailed” discussion with the Iranian president on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

Earlier, a statement by the PM’s Office said that the premier stressed the importance of implementing the Islamabad MoU — a 14-point interim agreement signed between the US and Iran in June that gave a framework for ending the ongoing conflict — in the meeting.

Pakistan had also signed the agreement as a mediator. The conflict, however, has since continued with sporadic strikes and a US naval blockade of Iranian ports, while Iran has maintained control over traffic through the strategic waterway.

After PM Shehbaz met with Pezeshkian, he was asked by the media about the possibility of any progress on de-escalating the situation in the Middle East.

The premier replied that Pakistan’s leadership united in its resolve to expedite the peace efforts under the Islamabad MoU.

He also mentioned the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab — two key waterways for the world’s oil fuel supply that have been affected by the conflict in the Middle East.

“The current situation in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab, and the provocative activities taking place there, require brotherly and friendly countries to work together to reduce tensions,” he stressed.

“For this purpose, today I met the Iranian president, had a detailed meeting with him, and told him that restoring peace to the region is the need of the hour, a very important need,” he said.

PM Shehbaz said Pakistan, as it had done in the past, would continue working for peace with Iran, which he described as a “brotherly” and neighbouring country.

“I told him that Pakistan’s leadership, whether military or political, will, God willing, work together and continue its efforts to bring peace to the region,” he said.

The premier further narrated that in his meeting with President Pezeshkian, the latter appreciated Pakistan’s efforts and reaffirmed Iran’s acceptance of the Islamabad MoU.

“The Iranian president said the Islamabad MoU is still fully acceptable to us and they are ready to take it forward,” he added.

The prime minister said Pakistan would continue working with friendly and brotherly countries to help reduce tensions and promote peace in the region.

Earlier, the PMO statement said PM Shehbaz expressed “deep concern over the prolonged conflict and emphasised the need for restraint, de-escalation, and sustained diplomatic engagement to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region” in his meeting with Pezeshkian.

“He also underscored the importance of implementing the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness to continue playing sincere and constructive role in support of regional peace and stability,” the statement added.

The two leaders discussed the evolving regional situation, with Pezeshkian appreciating Pakistan’s “principled diplomacy and concerted efforts for regional peace and security”, according to the statement.

“Underlining the importance of maintaining regular consultations and close coordination to address the prevailing challenges and seize the opportunities, the two sides agreed to work for regional peace, security, and prosperity,” it said.

Regarding bilateral ties, the two leaders reaffirmed the close and longstanding ties between Pakistan and Iran and underscored the need to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across all areas of mutual interest, it added.

“The Iranian President also underscored the enduring strength of Pakistan-Iran relations, rooted in shared history, culture, and faith, and reaffirmed Tehran’s strong desire to further deepen multifaceted cooperation,” it said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi were also present at the meeting, as well as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

During his interaction with the media, PM Shehbaz highlighted what he described as close cooperation between Pakistan’s political and military leadership, saying that this teamwork was contributing both to diplomatic efforts and economic stability.

Asked whether he had taken the Iranian president into confidence about the Makkah Defence Alliance, the prime minister said, “Yes, this was discussed, and we did inform him.”

PM Shehbaz and Pezeshkian had previously held a meeting in Kyrgyzstan, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State meeting in August, during which they reaffirmed the close and longstanding ties between both countries.

At the same time, PM Shehbaz had also stressed the importance of restraint and sustained diplomatic engagement to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region amid the US-Iran conflict.

Thursday’s meeting with the Iranian president comes as Islamabad continues efforts to bring the United States and Iran back to the negotiating table regarding the war in the Middle East.

Pezeshkian on Wednesday struck a defiant tone speaking at the UN for the first time since Washington and Israel launched an all-out war on his country, vowing Tehran would never “bend at the knee”. He made no reference to the talks to resolve the stalled war in his steely speech.

However, the Iranian side earlier this week indicated its willingness to return to dialogue with the US to de-escalate tensions. The flexibility on the issue was indicated by the Iranian side in a meeting between Pezeshkian and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi during the latter’s visit to Tehran.

Pakistan, meanwhile, has remained engaged in efforts to keep the diplomatic channel open. Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir has used his contacts with the US administration, while Pakistani officials have made repeated visits to Tehran.

Diplomatic sources say Qatar is handling the immediate shuttle diplomacy between the US and Iran in New York, while Pakistan is working through a parallel channel with Tehran as regional efforts intensify to keep the latest diplomatic contacts from collapsing.

The distinction has emerged from reporting by US and international media on the renewed US-Iran contacts around the United Nations General Assembly, with Qatar and Pakistan both involved in efforts to keep communication open between Washington and Tehran.

PM Shehbaz is expected to address the UNGA on Friday.