Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has had a 30-minute telephone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, after the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Tehran and Washington was signed.

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) notes in a statement that it is the first contact between the pair since the historic agreement was signed.

“The prime minister congratulated President Pezeshkian, the Iranian leadership and the brotherly people of Iran, on the signing of the historic peace deal,” the PMO says in a statement.

“This landmark deal, he said, would not only help restore peace in the region, but also go a long way in rebuilding the Iranian nation and further strengthening Pakistan-Iran ties, across all areas of mutual interest.”

PM Shehbaz has also wished the Iranian side success in the forthcoming phase of negotiations with the United States and assures Pezeshkian of Islamabad’s continued support to Tehran.

“On behalf of the Iranian nation as well as on his own behalf, President Pezeshkian thanked the prime minister and the Field Marshal Asim Munir for their extremely critical roles in steering the mediation process, with great skill and sincerity, that had ensured its success,” the statement adds.

“He said that Iran would always remember Pakistan’s positive and constructive efforts and its support for Iran during these difficult times.”