What happened
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed hope to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian that a peace deal between the United States and Iran would materialise soon, during a telephone call on 27 May 2026, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.
Mr Pezeshkian, for his part, expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s role in the negotiations so far.
The call
According to a statement quoted by The Express Tribune, the Iranian president expressed his “profound gratitude” to the prime minister and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for Pakistan’s important role in efforts to bring peace to the region.
Mr Shehbaz said Field Marshal Munir had “undoubtedly made tireless efforts to bring peace to the region”. In a separate post on X, the prime minister said he hoped the ongoing efforts would soon lead to an “enduring agreement, paving the way for regional stability, prosperity and cooperation”.
He said he reiterated Pakistan’s “unwavering solidarity” with the people of Iran over the loss of lives during the crisis and that Pakistan would “always stand by Iran as a sincere friend and neighbour”. The Prime Minister’s Office said he added that a possible deal could “help unlock the true economic potential of Iran and benefit the entire region”. Both leaders agreed to remain in close coordination, it said.
Background
On 28 February, the United States and Israel launched a joint offensive against Iran, and Tehran retaliated with strikes on Israel and other Gulf countries hosting US assets. Pakistan subsequently positioned itself as a mediator, brokering a two-week ceasefire and hosting the highest-level US-Iran talks since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Those “Islamabad Talks” ended without agreement, but the ceasefire held and was later extended at Pakistan’s request. The two sides have since been exchanging proposals and counter-proposals, with the aim of resuming a second round of direct talks.
Other calls
The prime minister held similar conversations with Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al Khaled Al Hamad Al Mubarak Al Sabah and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
The crown prince said Kuwait was “fully supportive of Pakistan” and that Qatar’s emir was “full of praise and respect” for the prime minister, according to statements carried by The Express Tribune. Mr Anwar acknowledged Pakistan’s “remarkable role” in the ceasefire and the wider peace efforts, and the two leaders expressed deep concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and Lebanon.
Mr Shehbaz thanked his Malaysian counterpart for supporting Pakistan’s initiative and acknowledged the efforts of Field Marshal Munir and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar in advancing the process.
Why it matters
The call is part of Pakistan’s sustained diplomacy to keep the US-Iran ceasefire and the prospect of a second round of talks alive, after the failure of the Islamabad Talks. It also shows Tehran publicly crediting Islamabad and its military leadership for the mediation effort at a point when a final agreement has yet to be reached.
Sources & reporting notes
This is a summary of published reporting, not independent reporting. Quotations are as carried by the cited outlet. Sources reviewed on 2026-05-27.
- The Express Tribune — "PM Shehbaz hopes of peace deal soon as Iran's Pezeshkian expresses appreciation for Pakistan role in negotiations"27 May 2026 · Reports the telephone call, the Prime Minister's Office statement and the separate calls with Kuwait and Malaysia.
