ISLAMABAD (The Thursday Times) — Tasnim News Agency, which has close ties to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, has published its strongest signal yet that a US-Iran deal is within reach, reporting that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian appreciated Pakistan’s “effective efforts” in remarks the agency described as an implicit confirmation that a Pakistani-mediated understanding has been achieved. The report came as President Pezeshkian and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke by phone on Eid ul-Adha, with the Iranian president appreciating Pakistan’s “sincere efforts for peace in the region.”
The Thursday Times has covered Pakistan’s mediation role throughout this week. Read our report on Trump saying he gave Iran a chance because Pakistan asked here. Read our report on Iran publicly thanking Pakistan by name here.
Why the Tasnim report matters
Tasnim News Agency, which is widely described as close to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Iran’s most powerful security institution. When Tasnim signals progress in sensitive negotiations, it reflects a position within Iran’s security establishment, not just the civilian government. The IRGC has historically been the most hawkish faction in Iran’s internal debates over dealing with the United States. Tasnim’s characterisation of Pezeshkian’s remarks as an “implicit confirmation” of a Pakistani-mediated understanding is therefore a significant indicator that the IRGC’s own media arm is aligned with the current diplomatic process.
Iranian President appreciated Pakistan’s “effective efforts” to help reach an agreement between Iran and the US, in remarks seen as an implicit confirmation that a Pakistani-mediated understanding has been achieved.https://t.co/Pya0GX3etR pic.twitter.com/pQqNiykiCO
— Tasnim News Agency (@Tasnimnews_EN) May 29, 2026
The Eid phone call
PM Shehbaz Sharif and President Pezeshkian spoke by phone on the occasion of Eid ul-Adha on Wednesday. The Prime Minister’s Office said the conversation was warm and cordial and lasted approximately thirty minutes. Pezeshkian appreciated Pakistan’s sincere efforts for peace in the region. PM Shehbaz expressed hope that a deal could materialise soon, saying it could “help unlock the true economic potential of Iran and benefit the entire region.” The conversation took place as Pakistan’s diplomatic effort continued to draw public acknowledgement from both sides of the negotiation.
“Exchanged warm Eid ul-Adha greetings with my dear brother, President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran, during a most cordial telephone conversation. President Pezeshkian graciously appreciated Pakistan’s sincere efforts for peace in the region.” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif · X · 27 May 2026
What Pezeshkian told Munir in Tehran
The warmth in the Eid call reflects a relationship built over several weeks of intense diplomacy. When Field Marshal Asim Munir visited Tehran on 22 and 23 May for overnight negotiations, Pezeshkian expressed direct gratitude for Munir’s efforts and those of his government. “The people and officials of Pakistan are our brothers, and we hold sincere affection for you,” Pezeshkian said. “We Muslims are one single body; we have no choice but unity.” Iran’s Foreign Ministry had separately thanked Pakistan by name on 25 May, citing PM Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy PM Ishaq Dar and Pakistan’s relevant agencies for their tireless efforts. Read that report here.
Where the deal stands
Iran said it was focused on finalising a memorandum of understanding covering three stages: formally ending the war, resolving the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, and launching a 30-day window for further negotiations. Iran, the US and Pakistan all confirmed progress had been made. The US blockade remains in place. The Strait of Hormuz has not yet reopened. A formal announcement has not been made.
Trump said on Tuesday that he gave Iran a chance because Pakistan asked him to, calling Field Marshal Munir and PM Shehbaz Sharif “great” and saying they “asked us to pause the war for a little while, and we did that.” Field Marshal Munir told China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing that a deal was “close to being reached” and that Pakistan was willing to continue its “all-out efforts.” Read that report here.
