UNITED NATIONS, Tuesday, September 22, 2026: Pakistan played a “critical” role in efforts to mediate between the United States and Iran, while the Islamabad understanding represented a “great achievement,” according to UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ spokesman Stéphane Dujarric.
Responding to a question during a UN press briefing in New York, Dujarric said the Secretary-General greatly appreciated the Pakistani leadership’s efforts to mediate between Washington and Tehran and bring an end to the violence.
“The Secretary-General is very grateful and appreciative of the efforts of the Pakistani leadership to mediate and to end the violence,” Dujarric said.
Referring to the diplomatic understanding reached in Islamabad, the UN spokesman described it as a major achievement and highlighted Pakistan’s central role in the mediation process.
He acknowledged that other countries had also been involved in diplomatic efforts but said Pakistan’s contribution had been “critical.”
Dujarric added that Guterres had remained in close contact with Pakistan’s leadership and sought to assist efforts aimed at ending the conflict.
The remarks came in response to a question about mediation efforts by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan’s military leadership and Islamabad’s continuing diplomatic engagement between Iran and the United States.
The Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the United States and Iran in June following Pakistan-facilitated diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalating hostilities and creating a pathway towards negotiations.
Pakistan has since continued to advocate dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward for resolving the confrontation between Washington and Tehran.
Islamabad has also called for implementation of the understanding as diplomatic efforts continue to prevent further escalation in the Middle East.
The UN spokesman’s remarks provide international recognition of Pakistan’s mediation role at a time when Islamabad continues diplomatic contacts aimed at bringing Washington and Tehran back to negotiations.