Iranian Media Rejects Pakistani PMs Claims of Mediation in US-Iran Talks

Iran’s state media struck back at Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent claims that Pakistan had brokered a decisive U.S.–Iran cease‑fire deal, labeling the statements as “completely mistaken.” The remarks came on 23 June 2026, the same day Tehran and Washington signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that extended the cease‑fire for 60 days and laid out a timetable for further negotiations.

The MoU, inked in Tehran, deliberately omits any reference to ballistic‑missile issues. Fars News Agency reported that officials involved in the talks confirmed that missile discussions were not on the agenda, directly contradicting Sharif’s assertion that Pakistan had secured a comprehensive deal. The agency also highlighted that the MoU’s text explicitly excludes missile negotiations.

Observers have long questioned Pakistan’s influence in the U.S.–Iran talks. According to sources quoted by Fars, Pakistan has no decisive role in the negotiations. The agency suggested Sharif’s remarks were an attempt to inflate Islamabad’s intermediary status, noting that Qatar, not Pakistan, has emerged as the most effective facilitator between Washington and Tehran.

Indian intelligence sources, cited by the agency, added that Tehran views Pakistan’s mediation efforts as lacking neutrality because of Islamabad’s close strategic and defence ties with Saudi Arabia. The sources argued that Pakistan’s mutual defence pact with the Gulf state leads Tehran to suspect Islamabad favours Sunni Gulf interests over Iran’s security concerns, eroding trust in Pakistan‑brokered arrangements.

Iranian officials have consistently rejected Pakistan’s attempts to portray itself as a key intermediary. The agency reported that Pakistan is neither a principal signatory nor an effective player in recent understandings between Iran and the United States. Qatar has emerged as a more trusted and reliable channel for engagement.

In the days leading up to the MoU, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Pakistan. They met with President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during which the Iranian president reportedly praised Pakistan’s role in facilitating the negotiations and the memorandum of understanding.

The MoU is part of a broader effort to end hostilities that erupted in February 2026 following a joint Israeli‑American attack on Iranian sites. The cease‑fire, agreed on 14 June 2026, was mediated by Pakistan and Qatar and extended the existing truce for 60 days. The agreement lifted the U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, cleared mines, and set a timetable for negotiating limits on Iran’s nuclear programme, disposal of highly enriched uranium, sanctions relief, and the release of frozen Iranian assets.

While the United States and Iran have halted hostilities, the MoU is not a final peace treaty. It is intended to lay the groundwork for a comprehensive settlement. The agreement was described by President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as a peace deal, but Iranian officials have remained cautious in confirming a final agreement.

In sum, Iranian state media clarified that the missile issue was not part of the U.S.–Iran cease‑fire talks and that Pakistan’s role as a mediator has been overstated by its prime minister. Qatar is recognised as the primary facilitator in the negotiations, while Iran remains wary of Pakistan’s perceived bias due to its close ties with Saudi Arabia. The current situation is a 60‑day cease‑fire extension pending further talks on nuclear and security matters.