Pakistan Calls Islamabad Memorandum a Diplomatic Victory at UN
NEW YORK: Pakistan has presented the Islamabad Memorandum as a major diplomatic achievement at the United Nations, saying the agreement remains central to efforts aimed at keeping the United States and Iran engaged through dialogue instead of confrontation.
Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan’s representative at the UN discussion, told an emergency session of the Security Council that the memorandum reflected Islamabad’s long-standing position that conflicts in the region must be settled through negotiation, restraint and sustained political contact.
The remarks came as Pakistan continued to highlight its mediation role following weeks of dangerous tensions involving Iran, the United States and regional states. Islamabad has argued that keeping communication channels open is essential to prevent a wider crisis that could affect security, energy markets and civilian lives across the Middle East and South Asia.
According to Asim Iftikhar, Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement has been guided by the aim of saving lives, lowering tensions and creating conditions for structured negotiations. He said the continuation of talks itself should be viewed as a meaningful outcome, especially when mistrust between Washington and Tehran remains high.
The Islamabad Memorandum was signed on June 17, 2026, by US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif later signed the document as mediator on June 18, after Pakistan facilitated discussions intended to move the parties away from escalation and toward a negotiated framework.
Pakistan’s representative also said the country’s leadership had remained in contact with the negotiating sides, regional partners and other stakeholders to preserve diplomatic momentum. He described the agreement as an example of committed diplomacy and said Pakistan would continue supporting confidence-building steps between the parties.
The statement also addressed attacks on Gulf Cooperation Council countries, with Pakistan condemning violence against Bahrain and Kuwait and expressing solidarity with both states. Asim warned that further escalation could carry serious consequences for regional and international peace, making diplomacy more urgent than ever.
The development has wider significance for Pakistan’s foreign policy because Islamabad is trying to project itself as a stabilising regional actor at a time of shifting alliances and security uncertainty. Its mediation effort also allows Pakistan to deepen engagement with Muslim-majority countries, major powers and multilateral institutions while protecting its own strategic and economic interests.
Pakistan also thanked Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Egypt and China for supporting its mediation efforts. The next phase will depend on whether the parties sustain the process under the Islamabad Memorandum and whether Pakistan can continue using its diplomatic channels to reduce the risk of renewed conflict.