ISLAMABAD (The Thursday Times) — Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday that the United States and Iran have reached understandings on “most issues” in negotiations to end the war, and specifically thanked Pakistan by name for its tireless efforts, citing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Pakistan’s relevant agencies. Baghaei added that a formal agreement has not yet been signed and that the progress was the outcome of efforts spanning several weeks. Field Marshal Asim Munir is currently in Beijing alongside Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for talks with Chinese leaders.
The Thursday Times has covered Pakistan’s mediation role throughout. Read our analysis of how Field Marshal Munir became the central figure in this effort here.
“It is correct to say that we have reached a conclusion on a large portion of the issues under discussion. But to say that this means the signing of an agreement is imminent, no one can make such a claim.” Esmaeil Baghaei, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman · 25 May 2026
Iran names Pakistan publicly
Baghaei’s public acknowledgement of Pakistan’s role by name is significant. In a statement, he said: “I would like to thank the tireless efforts of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, especially Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and other relevant agencies.” The statement represented the first time Iran had publicly and specifically named Pakistani officials in the context of the ongoing peace negotiations.
Baghaei also specifically hailed Field Marshal Asim Munir, calling Pakistan’s mediating role “important” and saying Munir’s visit to Tehran on 22 and 23 May was instrumental in continuing the exchange of messages between Tehran and Washington. The New York Times had earlier described Munir’s overnight Tehran visit as “an intensification of shuttle diplomacy” with Munir playing “a central role in mediation efforts.” Iran’s public acknowledgement of Munir by visit, combined with the naming of Shehbaz Sharif and Ishaq Dar, represents the most comprehensive Iranian endorsement of Pakistan’s mediation role since the ceasefire of 8 April 2026.
Baghaei also hailed Pakistan’s “important” mediating role, saying the purpose of Field Marshal Munir’s visit to Tehran on 22 and 23 May was to continue the exchange of messages between Tehran and Washington. He said Iran was “in the finalization stage” of a memorandum of understanding, with discussions focused on ending the war, halting the US naval blockade and releasing Iran’s blocked assets.
Where negotiations stand
The framework being discussed would unfold in three stages: formally ending the war, resolving the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, and launching a 30-day window for further negotiations, according to sources cited by Reuters. Iran has based its position on a 14-point proposal that has been exchanged back and forth through Pakistani mediators several times. Two Pakistani sources involved in negotiations told Reuters the deal being negotiated is “fairly comprehensive to terminate the war.”
Baghaei cautioned that Washington had been shifting its positions, saying: “But to say that this means the signing of an agreement is imminent, no one can make such a claim.” He added that Iran would not publicly discuss the details of nuclear negotiations. Iran’s priorities at this stage remain ending the war on all fronts including Lebanon, lifting the US blockade, and ensuring stability in the Strait of Hormuz. Lifting sanctions on oil exports and releasing frozen assets are described by Iranian officials as matters of substance, not detail.
Munir in Beijing as PM Shehbaz congratulates Trump
Field Marshal Munir, who left Tehran on Saturday after overnight negotiations that Pakistan’s army described as “highly productive,” is now in Beijing alongside Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. China said it would work with Pakistan to “make positive contributions to the early restoration of peace and stability in the Middle East.” PM Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday congratulated Trump on his “extraordinary efforts to pursue peace” and described discussions among regional leaders as “very useful and productive,” adding that Pakistan would continue supporting peace efforts “with utmost sincerity” and hoped to “host the next round of talks very soon.”
The Thursday Times will update this article as the formal announcement emerges.
Sources: CBS News live updates, Times of Israel liveblog, Reuters, PBS NewsHour, CNN, 24 News HD, PressTV, AP. All quotes attributed to named officials speaking in public forums. This is a developing story and will be updated as events unfold.
