Memorandum of Understanding signed between Iran and US, PM ratifies as mediator

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced that the “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding” has been electronically signed between the US and Iran, through which the two countries have agreed on a diplomatic solution to the ongoing dispute.

In a statement released on the social networking website, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that he has ratified the agreement as a mediator. He said that both sides are committed to a peaceful and diplomatic solution to the dispute, while the agreement will come into effect immediately.

The Prime Minister said that as part of the initial steps, Iran will immediately reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while the US will lift the naval blockade imposed on Iran. He said that this development is an important step towards peace, stability and de-escalation in the region.

Shahbaz Sharif paid tribute to US President Donald Trump, saying that his diplomatic resolve and confidence in the negotiation process helped end a conflict that could have had disastrous consequences for the region and the world.

He also appreciated the services of the US negotiating team and said that their continuous efforts played a significant role in making the agreement possible.

The Prime Minister also paid tribute to the vision and commitment to peace of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei and Iranian President Masoud Peshmerga, saying that the patience, steadfastness and constructive negotiating style of the Iranian negotiating team played a key role in the success of the agreement.

The statement also appreciated the role of the leadership of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt. The Prime Minister said that the diplomatic support and constructive cooperation of these countries proved to be very important for the success of the negotiation process.

The Prime Minister expressed hope that the “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding” will lay the foundation for a new era of peace, mutual trust, economic cooperation and shared prosperity in the entire region. He prayed that this agreement would prove to be a source of lasting stability and regional development in the future.