Pakistani PM confirms entering into force of US-Iran memorandum

Lead

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced early on Thursday that the ‘Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding’ (MoU) between the United States and Iran had been signed electronically by both sides. In a post on the social media platform X, Sharif said the memorandum had been signed by the presidents of both countries and endorsed by him as the mediator. The agreement, he said, would enter into force with immediate effect, with Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz and the US lifting its naval blockade as a first step.

The announcement came two days earlier than the previously scheduled signing ceremony in Switzerland. The signing was confirmed by multiple outlets, including Al Jazeera, Dawn, TASS, and The Hindu, with US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian putting their signatures to the document. The deal is intended to end the war that began on February 28, according to The Hindu.

Coverage Comparison

Al Jazeera reported that Pakistan’s Prime Minister signed the US-Iran memorandum of understanding, with US President Donald Trump and Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian signing on Wednesday. The outlet’s coverage highlighted Pakistan’s role in the peace deal.

Dawn provided the most extensive coverage, with multiple articles detailing various aspects of the deal. One article focused on a phone call between Prime Minister Sharif and Iranian President Pezeshkian, during which Sharif said the deal would “go a long way towards” rebuilding Iran. Another Dawn article reported on a call between Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, where the two leaders agreed that the next phase of negotiations must be guided by dialogue and diplomacy. Dawn also reported that the MoU was electronically signed, with Sharif endorsing it as mediator, and noted that the signing was originally scheduled for Friday in Switzerland but was brought forward.

South China Morning Post reported that Iran and the US signed a peace deal, with Pakistan’s Prime Minister announcing the signing and noting the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and lifting of the naval blockade. TASS reported that the memorandum of understanding has entered into force, with Islamabad acting as a mediator, and also quoted Sharif stating that Tehran’s missile program is not mentioned in the MoU. The Hindu reported that US President Donald Trump and Iran’s President signed a deal on Wednesday, with Tehran agreeing to dilute enriched uranium in return for economic relief, and provided a timeline of the conflict that began on February 28.

While all sources agreed on the core fact of the signing, there were some differences in emphasis. Al Jazeera and South China Morning Post focused on the basic announcement, while Dawn provided additional context on phone calls with regional leaders and the rebuilding of Iran. TASS highlighted the omission of the missile program, a detail not mentioned in other coverage. The Hindu focused on the specific terms of the deal, including uranium dilution and economic relief.

Key Claims

• Signing of the memorandum: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on X that the ‘Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding’ had been signed electronically by both the US and Iran. According to Dawn, Sharif said the memorandum was signed by the presidents of both countries and endorsed by him as the mediator. Al Jazeera confirmed that US President Donald Trump and Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian signed the MoU, with Sharif also signing as mediator.

• Immediate entry into force: Sharif stated that the MoU would enter into force with immediate effect, and as a first step, Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and the US would lift its naval blockade. This was reported by Dawn, Al Jazeera, South China Morning Post, and TASS.

• Missile program not mentioned: TASS quoted Prime Minister Sharif as saying that the MoU does not mention ballistic missiles, and that the issue was never on the table or the agenda. This detail was carried only by TASS among the sources provided.

• Uranium dilution and economic relief: The Hindu reported that Tehran agreed to dilute its enriched uranium in return for large-scale economic relief, including the waiving of oil sanctions. This was not explicitly mentioned in other coverage, though Dawn noted that the deal would help rebuild Iran.

• Conflict timeline: The Hindu stated that the war was launched on February 28 by the United States and Israel, prompting Iran to counterattack and shut down the Strait of Hormuz. This detail was not extensively covered by other sources.

Perspectives

Pakistan (Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif): Emphasized the historic nature of the deal and Pakistan’s role as mediator, describing it as a diplomatic resolution to the conflict. He expressed gratitude to the US and Iranian leadership and acknowledged the support of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Egypt, as well as the role of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir in facilitating the breakthrough.

Iran (President Masoud Pezeshkian): Reportedly thanked PM Sharif and Pakistan’s military leadership for their mediation efforts, and expressed Tehran’s appreciation for Pakistan’s support. Dawn reported that Pezeshkian said Iran would always remember Pakistan’s positive and constructive efforts.

United States (President Donald Trump): Reported by Al Jazeera and Dawn as having signed the MoU, with a video showing Trump signing during a dinner at the Palace of Versailles. Trump told reporters "Just signed it," indicating US commitment to the deal.

Saudi Arabia (Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman): In a call with PM Sharif, the Crown Prince discussed the next phase of negotiations, with both leaders agreeing on the importance of dialogue and diplomacy. Dawn reported that Sharif thanked the Crown Prince for the Kingdom’s support for Pakistan’s peace efforts.