US, Iran to honour Islamabad memorandum

October 20, 2026

Pakistan’s efforts to reduce tensions between the United States and Iran deserve recognition. At a time when conflict threatens regional peace and global stability, Islamabad has chosen diplomacy over confrontation and continued to push for dialogue.

Addressing the 8th Global Security Forum in Doha, Qatar, on Monday, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said Pakistan had made every possible effort to prevent further escalation between Washington and Tehran. He acknowledged that the process had faced difficult moments but said Pakistan had not abandoned its efforts to bring the two sides closer.

“The last few months have been very difficult for our region,” Naqvi said, describing the conflict as a serious threat to the Middle East and the wider world.

He also praised Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for his role in Pakistan’s diplomatic initiatives. Naqvi highlighted the contribution of Qatar’s Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, saying the two leaders had worked for more than 16 hours without a break to prevent negotiations from collapsing.

During his address, Naqvi recalled the signing of the 14-point Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Iran on June 18. Pakistan acted as a mediator in the agreement, which was intended to provide a framework for ending the conflict that began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.

Pakistan’s role shows that even countries with limited resources can make an important contribution to international peace through dialogue and sustained diplomatic engagement. Islamabad’s efforts also reflect the understanding that military confrontation cannot provide lasting solutions to political disputes.

However, mediation alone cannot guarantee peace. Both Washington and Tehran must show the political will to honour their commitments and continue negotiations in good faith. In particular, the United States should honour the Islamabad memorandum and respect the commitments made under the agreed framework. Any failure to do so would weaken trust in diplomacy and make future negotiations more difficult. The international community should support Pakistan’s peace efforts rather than allow the region to return to confrontation.