Islamabad MoU signed: Hormuz to reopen, US lifts blockade

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced the formal electronic signing of the “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding”

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced the formal electronic signing of the “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding” between the United States and Iran, marking a major diplomatic breakthrough aimed at ending recent hostilities and restoring regional stability.

According to the prime minister, the agreement has been signed by the presidents of both countries and endorsed by him in his role as mediator. He said the MoU will come into effect immediately, with key initial steps already agreed upon by both sides.

Under the first phase of the agreement, Iran will immediately reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while the United States will lift its naval blockade without delay. The move is expected to restore vital maritime traffic through one of the world’s most important energy routes.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the agreement reflects a strong commitment from both Washington and Tehran to resolve disputes through dialogue rather than confrontation. He praised the leadership of both countries for choosing diplomacy at a critical time.

He also extended appreciation to US President Donald Trump for what he described as his consistent preference for diplomatic solutions. The prime minister noted that Trump’s engagement played a key role in helping bring the conflict to an end.

According to reports, the signing took place through electronic means during high-level diplomatic engagement, with confirmation from both sides that the document has been finalised at the presidential level.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei confirmed that the agreement is now official and said it reflects months of negotiations involving senior representatives from both countries. He also highlighted the contributions of key US negotiators including Vice President JD Vance, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif further acknowledged the efforts of Iran’s leadership, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, praising their role in supporting a peaceful resolution.

He also recognized Iranian negotiators Abbas Araghchi, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and Eskandar Momeni for their contribution to reaching the understanding.

The prime minister thanked regional partners Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Egypt for their diplomatic support, saying their engagement helped facilitate dialogue between the two sides.

Special mention was also made of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, with the prime minister crediting his efforts as instrumental in achieving what he called a “critical breakthrough” in regional peace efforts.

The agreement also outlines broader provisions, including US commitments to ease oil sanctions and support a potential $300 billion reconstruction and development framework, subject to a final nuclear agreement.

Officials say the MoU is intended to serve as a temporary framework leading to comprehensive negotiations over nuclear issues, sanctions relief, and long-term regional stability.