Qatar and Saudi Arabia praise Pakistan's peace role as US-Iran deal nears signing

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received a call from Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman on Saturday, during which Doha praised Pakistan's diplomatic efforts in the Gulf crisis and backed the expected US-Iran peace agreement.

Separately, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar spoke with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, who also commended Pakistan's sustained mediation role.

What did Qatar's prime minister say about Pakistan's peace efforts?

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman praised Pakistan's significant diplomatic efforts and paid tribute to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir for their instrumental role in advancing negotiations.

The Qatari prime minister assured Pakistan of Doha's continued support and expressed hope that the agreement would contribute to lasting stability and prosperity in the region.

Prime Minister Shehbaz informed the Qatari leadership that the peace agreement had been finalized and was expected to be signed by the concerned parties in the near future.

Both leaders agreed to remain in close contact in the coming days as efforts continue toward the formalization and implementation of the agreement.

What did Saudi Arabia say in its call with Pakistan's foreign minister?

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar held a separate telephone conversation with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, during which both sides welcomed the US-Iran negotiations reaching their final stage.

The Saudi foreign minister appreciated Pakistan's consistent and sustained efforts in support of mediation and dialogue throughout the process.

Both sides noted that an electronic signing ceremony was scheduled for Sunday and expressed hope that the development would contribute to lasting peace and stability in the region.

The two leaders also discussed the forthcoming Regional Four Foreign Ministers meeting, scheduled to be held in Egypt later this month.

What is the current status of the US-Iran peace deal?

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced Saturday that the US and Iran had agreed on the text of the peace deal and that an electronic signing was expected imminently.

However, Iran's Foreign Ministry said Sunday's signing would not take place, with spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei saying more time was needed while leaving open the possibility of a signing "in the coming days."

The deal, referred to as the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, focuses initially on a cessation of military operations and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, with subsequent phases covering frozen Iranian assets, sanctions relief, and the dismantling of Tehran's highly enriched uranium stockpile.