Japanese FM praises Pakistan’s mediating role in reaching an understanding between the US and Iran

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi on Monday praised Pakistan’s role in facilitating and supporting diplomatic efforts that contributed to the recent understanding between the United States and Iran during a telephone conversation with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry.

In a post at X, MoFA said the two leaders “welcomed the understanding reached between the US and Iran” and described it as important to the wider international community.

During the call, the Japanese Foreign Minister conveyed Japan’s deep appreciation and praise for Pakistan’s sustained mediation role and constructive efforts throughout the process, which helped facilitate and promote the outcome achieved.

The two sides also reaffirmed the importance of continued diplomatic engagement and “the need to maintain close contact and regular exchanges to further strengthen bilateral relations and coordination on issues of common interest.”

According to the State Department’s statement, the conversation reflected shared support for dialogue and diplomacy in relation to international tensions.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that an agreement had been reached earlier Monday and said the memorandum of understanding is scheduled to be officially signed on Friday in Switzerland.

The exact terms were not immediately known. The prime minister said in a speech on X that the pact called for “the immediate and permanent suspension of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon.”

There was no immediate reaction to the announcement from Israel, which has said it was not a party to the US-Iran talks.

Iranian media on Monday released details of a 14-point draft memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States that lays out a proposed framework for ending the war and moving toward a final agreement.

The draft allows for the full lifting of the US naval blockade against Iran within 30 days. It also calls for reopening the Strait of Hormuz within 30 days under Iranian arrangements.

Since mid-March, Trump has repeatedly claimed that a deal with Iran to end the war was close. The two sides have been trading strikes this week, tightening a ceasefire announced in April.

The region has been on edge since the US and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran in late February, triggering Iranian retaliation against Israel and other regional countries that host US assets.

A temporary ceasefire was agreed on April 8 in Islamabad, but talks later stalled over disputes over its implementation and subsequent regional developments, even as Trump extended the ceasefire indefinitely.