Pakistan Prime Minister: Iran-US Peace Owed to Erdogan's Support

Meeting of Leaders at Vahdettin Mansion; Praising Ankara's Role Shehbaz Sharif, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, who is on an official visit to Turkey, emphasized the deep ties between the two countries today, July 4, 2026, during a speech at the "Turkey-Pakistan Business Forum" in Istanbul. At the meeting held at Vahdettin Mansion, he explicitly stated that Islamabad's success in establishing peace between Washington and Tehran is owed to the unwavering support of his "dear brother," Recep Tayyip Erdogan [1]. Sharif emphasized that this diplomatic mission was extremely difficult and would have seemed almost impossible without the sincere support of Turkey and other friendly nations [1][3].

Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding; End of a Global Crisis These remarks come as the region has recently moved past a major military conflict between Iran and the United States. After months of tension that began in February 2026, the "Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding" (MoU) was finally signed on June 18, 2026, by US President Donald Trump, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and Shehbaz Sharif as the mediator [4]. The agreement included an immediate cessation of military operations on all fronts, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and the lifting of the US naval blockade of Iran [2][4]. Pakistan, utilizing back-channel diplomacy and close coordination with Turkey and Qatar, was able to bridge the trust gap between the parties [5].

Regional Diplomacy and Visit to Tehran Prior to arriving in Istanbul, the Pakistani Prime Minister was in Tehran to attend the funeral of the late Iranian leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei [3]. These visits demonstrate Pakistan's pivotal role as a "messenger of peace" in the new security architecture of the Middle East. Sharif noted in Istanbul that Pakistan and Turkey are not only strategic allies but brothers whose relations date back decades before Pakistan's independence [1]. He also expressed gratitude for the efforts of the Pakistan Army and the Foreign Ministry team in advancing this agreement [2].

Future Outlook; Lasting Peace Under Cooperation The recent agreement, achieved through Islamabad's active mediation and Ankara's support, has now entered a 60-day implementation phase. Turkish officials, including Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, have welcomed the agreement, calling it a turning point for regional stability [3]. With the reopening of trade routes and the reduction of military tensions, economic cooperation between Pakistan, Turkey, and Iran is expected to see a significant leap in the coming months [1][5].