PM Shehbaz to visit Iran, Turkiye as part of mediation efforts to end Middle East war: sources

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will embark on official visits to Iran and Turkiye from July 3 to 6, aiming to mediate an end to the ongoing Middle East war, according to sources in the Prime Minister's Office. This diplomatic push comes amidst heightened tensions, including recent US military strikes on Iran and Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

The visits are part of Pakistan's broader efforts to broker peace, particularly following the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This interim peace deal, aimed at ending a war that began on February 28, has faced significant challenges, underscoring the fragility of the peace process. The conflict has disrupted vital shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and rattled global energy markets.

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we should reach a new framework that includes all countries in the region and without the presence or interference of any country from outside the region

During his engagements, Prime Minister Sharif is expected to meet with the leadership of both Iran and Turkiye. He will call on Tehran and Washington to exercise restraint, seeking to de-escalate the situation. This initiative builds upon recent direct talks between the United States and Iran, dubbed the "Lake Lucerne Summit," held in Switzerland. These negotiations, mediated by Pakistan and Qatar, were part of the framework established by the Islamabad MoU, which aims to end the war, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and address key issues within 60 days.

Iran's top diplomat, Abbas Araghchi, has emphasized the need for a new regional security framework involving all regional countries and excluding external interference. This sentiment was echoed by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during a recent visit to Pakistan, where he expressed gratitude for Pakistan's mediation efforts. The "Lake Lucerne Summit" successfully established a mechanism for further technical talks, communication lines to end fighting in Lebanon, and measures to prevent incidents in the Strait of Hormuz, with mediators noting "encouraging progress."

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Encouraging progress has been made